A cataract occurs when proteins inside your eye’s natural lens break down and clump together. This process causes the lens to become cloudy, which can cause many visual symptoms.
Often, cataracts develop slowly, so you might not even notice you have them until they’re more advanced. If left untreated, cataracts will eventually impact your vision significantly.
Knowing the common signs and symptoms of cataracts can help you know when it’s time to visit your eye doctor. Keep reading to learn the most common signs of cataracts to watch out for.
Blurry Vision
One of the earliest symptoms of cataracts is blurry or cloudy vision. As cataracts continue progressing, clouding the majority of your lens, the light passing through is scattered, resulting in blurry vision. It may seem like you’re looking through a foggy window when your vision is blurred.
Light Sensitivity
Have you realized you’re squinting more than usual, and your eyes are more sensitive you step outside? This may be a sign that you have cataracts.
You’ve Injured Yourself Because of Poor Vision
Have you become more susceptible to falling or accidents because you can’t see well enough? This could also be an indication of cataracts.
If this sounds familiar to you, it’s crucial that you see your eye doctor to prevent impaired vision from causing further physical injury.
Glare and Halos
Halos and glare are common when you have cataracts. Cataracts distort light as it enters your eye, causing these effects.
Intense glare makes you more sensitive to light, while halos around street signs, oncoming cars, and other light sources interfere with your night vision.
Poor Night Vision
Cataracts make it challenging to see in low-light conditions. They also cause blurry vision, halos, and glares.
All these challenges contribute to poor night vision and make nighttime driving dangerous. If you feel unsafe driving at night, ask someone else to transport you to avoid endangering your life and that of other road users.
Yellowish or Brownish Tint to the World
Cataracts cause your eye lens to become discolored. Initially, the lens gets tinged yellow and then develops a brownish tint once they further progress. This change affects how you see colors.
It also makes it very hard to differentiate certain colors, like purple, green, blue, black, and brown.
Colors Appearing Faded
As your cataracts continue to grow, your eye lens turns more opaque. Your once clear vision becomes foggy, and colors may start to appear dull or faded. Additionally, your eyesight becomes less sharp.
Double Vision
Double vision in one eye is yet another tell-tale sign of cataracts. It happens when you see two or more images of the same object.
These images may appear side by side or on top of each other.
Needing More Light
Vision loss due to cataracts can make reading the fine print on books, magazines, and medicine labels difficult. If you find yourself needing more direct light than usual to read, write, and perform other up-close tasks, that could be a warning sign of cataracts.
Find Out If You Have Cataracts Today
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to see your eye doctor at VisionFirst Eye Center. Cataracts are highly treatable, and prompt diagnosis can improve your vision and quality of life.
Are you experiencing symptoms of cataracts? Schedule a cataract screening at VisionFirst Eye Center in Birmingham, AL, today!
