What is the primary purpose of cataract surgery?

The primary purpose of cataract surgery is to remove the cloudy lens and restore vision. Cataracts develop when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, often leading to blurred or impaired vision. The surgical procedure involves extracting the opaque lens and usually replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that can restore clear vision. This intervention addresses the primary issue caused by cataracts, which is the obstruction of light entering the eye due to the cloudiness, ultimately helping patients regain their sight.

Other options focus on different aspects of eye care. Repairing the retina is relevant for conditions like retinal detachment, but it is not the focus of cataract surgery. Treating eye infections involves distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches unrelated to cataracts. Curing refractive errors, such as myopia or hyperopia, generally requires procedures like LASIK or the prescription of glasses, which are not related to cataract surgery. Thus, the correct answer highlights the specific role of cataract surgery in treating cloudiness of the lens to improve vision.