Cataracts cause many different visual symptoms. However, so do many other eye conditions.
Only an eye doctor can officially diagnose you with cataracts, but you can be on the lookout for the signs. Keep reading to learn how you can tell if you may have cataracts!
How Old Are You?
Cataracts don’t just affect older people, but people over fifty are at much greater risk for the condition. Age-related cataracts can begin to form as early as your forties.
You likely won’t notice any significant changes to your vision right away, as cataracts tend to develop gradually. Most people don’t notice symptoms from their cataracts until they have advanced.
Are You Having Trouble Driving At Night?
Cataracts are caused by a breakdown in proteins inside the eye’s natural lens. These proteins then clump together and begin to block out light.
Due to the cloudiness of the lens, vision loss is more noticeable in low-light situations. On top of that, cataracts also tend to scatter light inside your eyes.
Often, this causes glare which is very noticeable from oncoming traffic when driving at night. You may also notice distracting halos around street lamps or headlights.
Is Your Vision Blurry?
As your cataracts develop, your vision slowly worsens. It may not be very noticeable at first.
The change usually happens very slowly over the years, giving your brain time to adjust. Keeping track of your prescription changes can help determine if it worsens over time.
Does Your Prescription Change Frequently?
Worsening vision may force you to need more powerful glasses or contact lens prescriptions. Glasses and contact lenses may be able to help you manage cataract symptoms in the early stages of cataract development.
However, once cataracts grow significantly and begin interfering with your everyday life, you will need surgery.
Do You Find Yourself Bumping Into Things or Stumbling?
Poor vision can also cause you to have more accidents. You may notice headaches from eye strain or catch yourself squinting.
If your cataracts are causing you to have difficulty performing your everyday tasks, your eye doctor will likely recommend cataract surgery.
Are You Seeing Double?
Although not as common, certain kinds of cataracts can cause you to see double. This symptom can be very disorienting. However, it’s usually temporary.
Another temporary symptom of cataracts is something called second sight. You may briefly notice your vision improves significantly.
Although also not common, this happens when the lens swells and the light refracts in the lens differently. If it happens just the right way, you may actually experience clear vision.
Eventually, however, this will disappear, and symptoms will return as they were before.
Do Colors Seem Muddier?
Cataracts can also affect color vision. The cloudiness of the lens may cause a yellowish brown tint to your vision.
This symptom makes all colors a bit less vibrant and more difficult to contrast.
Although you may have cataracts if you are experiencing these symptoms, you won’t know for sure until you have a cataract screening. Vision problems can point to many different issues, so if you notice changes to your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately.
Are you noticing symptoms of cataracts? Schedule a cataract evaluation at Stahl Eyecare in Garden City, NY, today!
