Your eye has a clear lens through which the image passes allowing you to see. When this lens becomes cloudy it is called a cataract.

Cataracts cause progressive painless loss of vision. The lens clouds naturally with age so that, in general, people over the age of 65 usually a gradual reduction in their vision. In younger people, cataracts can come from injury, certain medications or illnesses such as diabetes. Ultraviolet light may play a role in cataract formation. Smoking cigarettes has also been linked to cataract formation.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. That is the nerve that carries the images from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma is one the most common causes of blindness. It is the leading cause of blindness for African-Americans. Glaucoma has been called the "Sneak Thief of Sight" because; in its most common form it has no symptoms; no blurred vision, no pain, no redness or swelling. People with glaucoma can go a long time with the disease and not know that anything is wrong until it is very late in the disease process.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when an organ called the pancreas does not secret enough insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulated the blood sugar (Glucose) level. Diabetes most commonly occurs in adults, although it can affect children as well.

Both cataracts and glaucoma are associated with diabetes. The main area to be affected in the eye is the retina. This is called diabetic retinopathy. It most commonly occurs in individuals who have had diabetes for more than 20 years.