Cataract Symptoms: How Can You Know?

Cataracts cause blurry vision, making everyday activities like driving or reading more challenging. At times, do you find yourself squinting through cloudy vision or rubbing your eyes as colors seem dimmer? While cataracts can affect anyone at any age, if you are experiencing these vision changes in your 50s or 60s, they are the most likely explanation.

Cataracts can develop very slowly over time, so most people don’t even know they have one until their vision is already declining.

Here is a complete list of symptoms that may indicate you are suffering from cataracts:

• Colors seem faded or more yellow
• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Poor night vision
• Double vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Reading becomes difficult
• Glare or halos appear around headlights, lamps and in bright sun
• Frequent prescription changes
• Temporarily improved distance vision if you are farsighted or worsened distance vision if you are nearsighted

A common misconception is that cataracts are accompanied by discomfort or redness.  This is not the case. Cataracts will not change your eye’s appearance or cause irritation or itching. These are usually signs of a different eye disorder.

Risk Factors for Cataracts

There are several factors that can put you at a higher risk for cataracts.  These include:

• Age (generally over 50)
• Ultraviolet radiation
• Eye trauma
• Heredity
• Certain medications
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Glaucoma

When to Seek Treatment

We advise you to seek treatment as soon as you begin to notice symptoms developing and affecting your day-to-day tasks. Patients over the age of 50 should have annual appointments that evaluate for cataracts.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms we invite you to give us a call to schedule a complete eye examination.