How Cataracts Can Affect Your Daily Life

Your vision is a priceless tool that helps you navigate the world around you. Reading your favorite book, taking a walk, driving, and working can all be nearly impossible with bad vision. Cataracts is the number one cause of preventable blindness in the world. Fortunately, cataracts are treatable at all stages of development. Here are some examples how cataracts can affect your daily life, a reality for many people around the world today.

Color Distortion

As cataracts progress, they cause the lens inside of the eye to become discolored. People with cataracts may notice a slightly yellow hue to their vision over time. This can cause affect similar to color blindness, and colors may look dull and less vivid than before.

Difficulty with Driving

Night driving is generally one of the first things to go when a person develops cataracts. Low-light situations are not ideal for people with cataracts, making driving at night quite dangerous. As cataracts progress, driving at any time becomes dangerous. It can be difficult to see street signs and lights. This is a big loss for many people, who depend on driving to go to work or travel to see family. It can also be frustrating to lose independence in this way.

Limited Activities

Reading magazines, watching your favorite show, or doing any detailed work becomes difficult over time, even with the aid of contact lenses and glasses. Household chores like cooking and cleaning may become more frustrating as well.

Need for Increased Lighting

As stated before, low-light situations are difficult for those with cataracts. People who have cataracts tend to need brighter lights in order to see at night.

Sensitivity to Glare

Although people with cataracts need more light in order to see, light sensitivity is not uncommon in those with cataracts. People with cataracts may be more sensitive to glare, making driving during certain times of day difficult.

While cataracts certainly pose a threat to independence, it’s important to keep in mind that cataracts are treatable. Cataract surgery is advanced and quite safe, making removal a quick and painless process. If you are someone you love is dealing with cataracts, Eye Physicians & Surgeons of Arizona is here to help. Contact us today for your cataract surgery consultation!