6 Symptoms of Cataracts

By RUBMD 5 Min Read

Cataracts are the clouding of your eyes’ lenses caused by age-related issues, sun damage, radiation treatment, and medications like steroids. The condition occurs when proteins in your lenses break down and clump together, resulting in cloudy or foggy vision. If you spot the symptoms early, cataract surgery can remove the damaged cells before they impair your vision. Here are six symptoms of cataracts:

Seeing Halos Around Lights

Normal lenses are clear, which helps them focus images properly. When cataracts form on the lens, they scatter the light entering the eye, which your brain interprets as halos. You may see glare, halos, or streaks around bright lights, especially when driving at night. Streetlamps and headlights from approaching cars appear to have a starburst effect around them. Cataracts usually form gradually, so the halos become more apparent over time. You may also experience increased sensitivity to sunlight, headlights, lamps, and glare. Removing the cataracts through surgery clears the lens, resolving the issue.

Blurred or Cloudy Vision

Seek cataract surgery if you experience blurred or cloudy vision. Cataracts usually block the light entering your lenses, acting like a translucent layer. The lens is the central part of your vision and helps to focus the light entering your eye. When cataracts form, your lenses become cloudy making it difficult to focus the light. Cloudy lenses result in blurry, filmy, or dim vision, which worsens at night. Your vision may resemble what you see through a frosty or fogged window. Cataracts also make it difficult to see, read, or drive at night, and you may need a brighter light to see clearly.

Double Vision In One Eye

Cataracts can cause double vision, which occurs when you see two images in one eye. One image can be clear with the other looking slightly faded. Double vision has many other causes, including brain issues and medications. Sudden double vision can stem from serious conditions like myasthenia gravis, brain aneurysm, and multiple sclerosis. Double vision caused by cataracts occurs gradually as the proteins in the eye break down. Close one eye at a time to check if cataracts are the possible cause of your double vision. If the issue remains when you close one eye, the open eye may have a cataract.

Changes In Vision Prescriptions

Contact lenses and glasses are usually the first line of treatment for various eye issues, including nearsightedness and early-stage cataracts. If the eye condition gets worse over time, your doctor can prescribe new lenses or glasses to maintain vision. Frequent changes in your vision prescription may be a sign of cataracts, especially if your symptoms get worse. Cataracts slowly impair your sight and can lead to total loss of vision. If you need new prescription glasses or contact lenses every few months, seek a diagnosis for possible cataracts. The cataracts may be growing, forcing you to seek new prescriptions to improve your vision.

Fading or Yellowing of Colors

Cataracts can change the way you see colors because light doesn’t enter your eye naturally. The light is dimmed and scattered, resulting in dulled or faded colors. You may also experience yellowing of colors with your vision resembling looking through a tinted sepia filter. Proteins that break down to form cataracts usually have a brownish hue, explaining the yellowing of colors. Every image you see may have a yellow tint, affecting the way you interpret colors.

Secondary Cataracts Symptoms

You may develop cataracts after surgery, a condition known as secondary cataracts. The symptoms resemble primary cataract symptoms and include difficulty seeing, reading, and driving. Secondary cataracts also cause your eyes to strain and can lead to pain and flashes of light. Vision problems also cause headaches. Secondary cataracts are treated using laser eye surgery to remove any scar tissue and damaged proteins.

Get Cataract Surgery Today

Vision issues like cataracts affect the quality of life you live. You can speak to an ophthalmologist to develop a personalized treatment for your needs. Contact an eye doctor today to find out more about cataract surgery.

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