Common Symptoms and Signs of Cataracts
Have you started to notice eye problems like cloudy or blurry vision? Poor night vision? Or do colors not seem as bright as they once were? You may be developing a cataract. Cataracts are tricky – it’s possible to not notice symptoms in the early stages of development. Often, the symptoms resemble the signs of other eye diseases. Continue reading to learn more from the eye doctors at eyecarecenter.
What Causes Cataracts?
The most common cause of cataracts is aging. As you age, proteins in the eye start to group together. This protein grouping creates a clouded lens, causing your vision to become blurry. As the cataract grows, you start to experience more problems with your vision. Cataracts typically start to develop after the age of 40 but vary in each case.
Factors That Increase Your Chance of Developing Cataracts
Factors that can increase your risk of cataract development include:
Past eye surgeries
Diabetes
Using steroids, a drug used for many health problems such as arthritis
Taking phenothiazine drugs, which are used for conditions like bipolar disorder
Ultraviolet exposure, or spending time in the sun without wearing sunglasses
It is possible for cataracts to develop in both of your eyes. However, the cataracts may develop at different rates.
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.
Types of Cataracts
When to see an eye doctor for cataracts
Any time you experience cataract signs and symptoms, you should set an appointment with an eye doctor.
Sometimes, cataracts do not require any immediate treatment. Your eye doctor may want you to return for follow-up appointments and monitoring. They may also recommend an update to your vision prescription. Other times, your eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens to improve your vision.
It is also possible that your ocular symptoms may be from something other than cataracts. Working with a trusted eye doctor is the best way to confirm whether or not you have cataracts.
Schedule an Appointment With Our Cataract Doctors
The team at eyecarecenter specializes in eye diseases and ocular conditions. Routine eye exams allow our doctors to provide you with your best vision possible. If you are diagnosed with a cataract, we will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your eyes.