Cataracts form when the proteins in your eye’s natural lens begin to break down and clump together. You may not notice a decline in your eyesight at first since cataracts typically develop gradually.
However, with time, cataracts will make it harder to see. The only way to restore clear vision at that point is to have cataract surgery.
Keep reading to learn eight of the most frustrating cataract symptoms!
1. Blurred Vision
Blurry vision is one of the most common symptoms of cataracts. The proteins that clump up on your eye lens cause it to become opaque and cloudy.
This blocks some of the light entering your eye, leading to blurry vision.
When you have blurry vision, it may feel as though you’re looking through a foggy window.
Blurry vision affects your sight and can cause you to trip or fall and get injured frequently. If you can no longer go about your day or suffer falls and injuries a lot, that’s usually a good sign that it might be time for cataract surgery.
Getting your cataracts removed is the only way to regain the vision lost.
2. Poor Night Vision
Another sign of cataracts is poor night vision. You may see halos around lights, including street lamps and car headlights when driving at night.
Halos can be quite distracting, and when combined with blurry vision, it makes driving dangerous. You shouldn’t drive if it’s become more challenging to see at night.
Instead, have someone else drive you. It’s the safest option for you and others on the road.
3. Increased Light Sensitivity
Cataracts can cause light to scatter and bounce around inside your eye. You may realize that your eyes have become very sensitive to indoor lights, street lights, headlights, and even the sun.
Light that never bothered you previously might now seem too harsh and uncomfortable for you. It’s not normal to experience this kind of pain or sensitivity.
Make sure you see your eye doctor to get to the bottom of this issue.
4. Frequent Prescription Changes
Your eyesight may change over time. However, cataracts can change your eye power more rapidly than usual as they worsen.
If you find yourself regularly needing a stronger contacts or glasses prescription, you might have cataracts. Updating your prescription will only provide a temporary solution at first.
Eventually, the best solution will be cataract surgery to permanently restore your vision.
5. Colors Appearing Faded
Colors can start to look faded, dull, and less vibrant when you have cataracts. The clumps of protein clouding your eye lens develop a brown or yellow hue as your cataracts continue growing.
Because of this, your vision may slowly take on a yellowish or brownish tinge. This changes how you see colors.
It further reduces your ability to tell certain colors apart, like purple and blue.
6. Double Vision
Cataracts not only blur your vision, but they also cause double vision in one eye. With double vision, you see two or more images of a single object.
It can be quite disorienting to see overlapping images when you look at anything. Simple activities like walking and cooking may become significantly difficult and possibly unsafe when you can’t see clearly.
Visit your eye doctor if you’re experiencing double vision to find a lasting solution.
7. Difficulty Reading
It begins with requiring more light than usual. But as cataracts progress, it becomes increasingly harder to write, read, text, and perform other up-close tasks.
As your eye’s natural lens hardens and loses its flexibility, you will begin to struggle to see things up close.
8. Second Sight
You might also develop second sight when you have cataracts. This occurs when a cataract makes your eye lens swell enough to improve your vision.
However, this is only short-lived. As cataracts advance, the second-sight effect disappears, and your vision continues to deteriorate.
How to Protect Your Vision from Cataracts
Cataracts can’t be prevented. However, there are several things you can do to lower your risk of developing cataracts earlier in life, including:
Quit Smoking
Smoking is linked to cataract formation. So stop smoking or ask your doctor to help you quit if it’s hard.
Keep your Blood Sugar in Check
High blood sugar raises your chances of getting cataracts early. Maintaining your blood glucose levels can minimize your chances of developing cataracts.
Wear Hats and Quality Sunglasses
Investing in wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses that offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection shield your eyes and lens from sun damage.
Keep Healthy
Research shows that heavy drinking and obesity may be factors in cataract formation. So limit your alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet to keep cataracts at bay.
Relieve Your Cataract Symptoms
Cataracts can make it difficult to see and significantly decrease your quality of life. It may feel as though you’re losing your independence when you have cataracts.
Luckily, cataract surgery at Joshi Retina Institute will help you regain your vision and independence.
Have you given up on your hobbies and can’t perform normal tasks like driving or reading? Schedule a cataract screening at Joshi Eye Institute today to find out if you need cataract surgery!
