A technique and apparatus for ameliorating, at least temporarily, vision-inhibiting effects of cataracts and the like within the lens of an eye, wherein MHz high-frequency ultrasound of relatively low power much less than that which would cause rupturing or fragmentation of the lens is used to treat the eye and for limited irradiation periods sufficient, however, to agitate and move around protein clumps or the like within the lens that cause the cataracts.