The Symptoms and Signs of Cataracts

Have you been experiencing vision loss or problems with your vision? There’s a chance you may be developing a cataract.

A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens within your eye. It can make it seeing clearly difficult, as it often causes blurry vision. Symptoms may not be noticeable at first. The symptoms can be like that of other eye conditions, making it difficult to diagnose without the help of a professional.

Congenital cataracts are cataracts that occur in infants due to a birth defect. The most common type of cataracts are nuclear cataracts. This type develops due to age, causing the center of the cornea to appear yellow or brown.

A posterior subcapsular cataract occurs in the back outer layer of the eye’s lens. A cortical cataract affects the edges of the lens in the eye, appearing spoke-like. Cortical cataracts reach from the edge of the lens to the center. 

Common Cataract Signs And Symptoms

Now that you understand what a cataract is, let's take a closer look at the most common cataract signs and symptoms.

1. Blurry Vision

Blurry vision from a cataract will progress over time, causing you to feel like you’re looking through a foggy car window. This can impact your everyday life, especially while driving or reading.

2. Poor Visibility in Low Light

Have you bought some brighter lamps recently? Read the restaurant menu with your phone’s flashlight? As cataracts develop, you may find yourself needing a brighter environment for everyday tasks. As a result, your ability to see at night is also affected by the cataracts.

3. Sensitivity to Light

Although you may need more light to see, it’s possible you’ll also experience sensitivity to light. People with cataracts may notice that lights can cause a debilitating glare. This is especially dangerous when driving at night.

4. Changes To Your Prescription Lens

If you've had to make one or more changes to your lens prescription recently, this may be due to developing cataracts.

5. Light Glares or Halos

Do headlights bother you when you drive at night or on cloudy days? Cataracts can cause halos or glares to appear around bright lights. 

6. Dull Colors

Instead of seeing bright colors as they normally are, cataracts can make them appear dull or yellow.

7. Double Vision

Cataracts can sometimes cause you to see double images, making it difficult to perform your everyday activities.

Factors that can increase your risk of developing cataracts include:

• Spending time in the sun without wearing sunglasses

• History of eye surgeries

• Diabetes

• Using steroids, a medication used for many health problems such as arthritis

• Phenothiazine drugs, a medication used for conditions like bipolar disorder

Treatment Options for Cataracts

There are many ways to treat cataracts. Your doctor may recommend wearing special eyeglasses, using eye drops, or correction through cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most common eye surgeries performed, proving to be a safe and effective treatment option. According to a JAMA Ophthalmology study, the median age for having cataract surgery in the United States is 67.7 years old. During cataract surgery, the eye doctor will replace the cloudy lens in your eye with a new clear artificial lens. Once your eye heals, you’ll be back to seeing clearly.

It’s also possible that you’re experiencing a different eye condition that has similar symptoms to a cataract. Seeing your trusted eye doctor will help you rule out any eye conditions or determine treatment.