Final answer:
A mature cataract is a fully developed stage of cataract where the eye's lens is totally opaque, seriously affecting vision. Treatment involves replacing the clouded lens with an artificial one, commonly improving distance vision but possibly requiring additional correction for near vision.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mature cataract is an advanced stage of cataract where the lens of the eye becomes fully opaque, leading to a significant loss of vision. Cataracts are chiefly responsible for 50% of all cases of blindness. They represent a clouding of the lens within the eye, impeding the passage of light and therefore diminishing eyesight. Notably, over time, exposure to UV-B rays can contribute to the development of cataracts, highlighting the importance of wearing protective eyewear such as plastic sunglasses for UV protection.
Treatment for a mature cataract typically involves surgically replacing the clouded lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This procedure is widely considered easy and successful. For individuals with presbyopia or who were nearsighted before cataract surgery, the power of the implanted IOL is adjusted to give them clear distant vision, though they might still need glasses for reading or close work.