What Are the First Signs of Having Cataracts?
Cataracts usually develop slowly, so you may not notice any changes at first. As the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, everyday activities such as reading, driving at night, or seeing in dim lighting may gradually become more difficult.
One of the first signs of cataracts is often blurry or hazy vision that does not completely improve with a new glasses prescription. You may also notice increased glare from sunlight, lamps, or approaching headlights.
If your vision no longer seems as clear as it once was, a comprehensive eye examination can determine whether cataracts or another eye condition is responsible.
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a cloudy area that develops in the normally clear lens of the eye. The lens focuses light onto the retina, helping you see a sharp image. As the lens becomes cloudier, light cannot pass through it properly, causing vision to become blurry, dim, or distorted.
Most cataracts are related to natural changes in the eyes as we age. However, cataracts can also develop due to diabetes, eye injuries, certain medications, previous eye surgery, smoking, or prolonged ultraviolet exposure.
What Are the Early Signs of Cataracts?
Early cataracts may cause no noticeable symptoms. When symptoms begin, they are often subtle and may affect one eye more than the other.
Blurry or Cloudy Vision
Your vision may appear slightly blurry, hazy, or foggy. It can feel as though you are looking through a dirty window, even when wearing your glasses or contact lenses.
Increased Glare
Sunlight, indoor lighting, and headlights may suddenly seem unusually bright. Glare can make it especially uncomfortable or difficult to drive at night.
Halos Around Lights
You may begin to see glowing circles or halos around streetlights, headlights, and other light sources. These halos can become more noticeable in dark environments.
Difficulty Seeing at Night
Cataracts reduce the amount and quality of light reaching the retina. You may need brighter lighting to read or find that driving after dark has become more challenging.
Colors Appear Faded or Yellow
Colors may gradually lose their brightness and contrast. White objects may appear yellowish, and it may become harder to distinguish between similar colors.
Frequent Changes in Your Eyeglass Prescription
If your glasses prescription changes repeatedly without providing consistently clear vision, cataracts may be affecting the lens of your eye.
Double Vision in One Eye
Some people with cataracts see two images or a faint “ghost” image when looking through one eye. Double vision caused by a cataract may remain even when the other eye is covered.
Needing More Light to Read
Reading fine print may become difficult, particularly in dim lighting. You may find yourself increasing the brightness on your phone or adding more lamps around your home.
Can Cataracts Cause a Sudden Change in Vision?
Cataracts generally cause gradual vision changes rather than sudden vision loss. A sudden decrease in vision, new flashes of light, numerous new floaters, severe eye pain, or a dark curtain in your vision is not typical of an age-related cataract.
These symptoms may indicate another serious eye condition and should be evaluated immediately.
How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?
An ophthalmologist can diagnose cataracts during a comprehensive eye examination. Your evaluation may include:
- A visual acuity test to measure how clearly you see
- Refraction to determine whether glasses can improve your vision
- A slit-lamp examination to inspect the lens and other eye structures
- A dilated eye examination to check the retina and optic nerve
- Additional measurements when cataract surgery is being considered
Because several eye conditions can cause blurry vision, an examination is necessary to confirm that a cataract is responsible for your symptoms.
Do Early Cataracts Need Surgery?
Not necessarily. If an early cataract is not interfering with your daily life, your ophthalmologist may recommend monitoring it during regular eye examinations. Updated glasses, brighter lighting, and anti-glare lenses may temporarily improve your vision.
Cataract surgery may be recommended when vision problems begin to interfere with activities such as:
- Driving safely, especially at night
- Reading or using a computer
- Working
- Recognizing faces
- Watching television
- Performing hobbies or household tasks
You do not need to wait until a cataract is “ripe” or until your vision becomes severely impaired. The timing of surgery depends on how much the cataract affects your vision and quality of life.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens. Your cataract surgeon will discuss available lens options and recommend an approach based on your eyes, vision needs, lifestyle, and overall health.
Cataracts do not grow back after the cloudy lens has been removed.
When Should You Schedule a Cataract Evaluation?
Schedule an eye examination if you notice persistent blurry vision, glare, halos, fading colors, difficulty driving at night, or frequent prescription changes. Even mild symptoms should be evaluated because cataracts are not the only possible cause of changing vision.
At Meadows Eye Physicians & Surgeons, our ophthalmologists provide comprehensive cataract evaluations and personalized treatment recommendations. We can determine whether cataracts are affecting your vision and help you understand when surgery may be appropriate.
Call Meadows Eye Physicians & Surgeons at (702) 358-0472 to schedule a cataract evaluation in Las Vegas.