6 Symptoms That May Signal Cataracts

Cataracts are an inevitable part of aging. What can make them harder to diagnose is they share symptoms with other conditions.

They also have some important distinctions that make it easier for eye doctors to know if you have them. Not sure if you might have a cataract?

Keep reading for 6 symptoms that may signal cataracts!

What is a Cataract?

Cataracts develop inside the lens of the eye. The lens is a clear bit of tissue inside the eye that helps focus light so you can see clearly.

Normally, the lens has proteins that are arranged in a precise way to allow light to pass through without issues. But usually with age, these proteins can begin to clump together.

When protein starts clumping together, it’s not a problem at first. The eye is still able to get enough light around them to see.

The clumps are mostly translucent. But cataracts never stop growing. Over time, the masses grow large enough and dark enough to distort or fully block light from entering the eye.

Cataracts are not painful, and many people can live with them for quite some time before needing removal. Come let us know if you are experiencing the following symptoms.

This is the time for an accurate diagnosis, letting us keep track of your cataract progression.

Signs of Cataracts

If you experience any of the following symptoms, these are some of the most common signs of having cataracts. It does not always mean you have a cataract and could be a more serious eye condition, so make sure to have any vision changes checked out by your eye doctor.

Watch out for:

1. Blurry vision

Blurry vision is the most obvious sign of cataract development. It can also be a symptom of other vision problems.

Your eye doctor will need to physically look inside of your eyes to look for cataract growth. You should always report changes in your vision.

2. Seeing at night becomes more difficult

It is particularly difficult to see at night, as cataracts affect your vision by blocking out light. In low light situations, your eyes will struggle even harder to make sense of your surroundings.

This can make it hard to drive, so have someone else drive you if you feel unsafe driving yourself.

3. Light sensitivity

You may develop cataracts that cause you to become more sensitive to light. Certain kinds of cataracts grow in such a way that they cause light to refract awkwardly inside the eye.

This makes light bounce around your eyes, which can cause glare or even pain.

4. Things look more yellow

Cataracts become less clear as they mature, taking on a yellowish color. This color may begin to bleed into your vision.

As a result, this may make everything take on a yellow tint. You may also lose some ability to see contrast.

5. Seeing visual aberrations like double vision or halos around lights

You may experience strange visual aberrations. You may see double vision in one of your eyes or halos appearing around fixed sources of light.
This can be distracting and unsettling.

6. Your vision may temporarily improve

In some cases, cataracts may cause your vision to temporarily improve. This is known as second sight.

The cataract makes the lens swell enough so that it counteracts your refractive error if you’re nearsighted. While it can be tempting to call this a good thing, it is always short lived.

Cataracts never stop developing, and sooner rather than later, they will become opaque and block light.

Still, concerned that you may have a cataract? Schedule a cataract screening at Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Arizona in Scottsdale, AZ to learn more!