5 Of The Most Common Signs of Cataracts
Do you have trouble driving at night? Do clothes you know are white look yellow to you now?
These are two common signs that you could be developing cataracts. Due to the aging process, cataracts become more and more common. Keep reading to learn about 5 of the most common signs of cataracts!
What is a Cataract?
Part of the aging process for most adults includes developing cloudy or blurry vision. When this happens, it’s a sign of cataract development.
A cataract occurs when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy. Without cataracts, the lens is clear and easy to see through.
Most patients who have cataracts say it’s like looking through a foggy window. There are many other signs associated with developing cataracts. They include not being able to see details or being unable to drive at night.
1. Colors Appear Faded
When your cataracts start to grow, they can make colors look faded or dull. For example, you may see something that’s white as yellow.
This is due to the discoloration of the cataract on your lens. It may be brown or yellow in color.
2. Trouble Driving at Night
Cataracts can make you have foggy vision. This can make it difficult to differentiate between light and dark.
Additionally, some patients experience seeing halos around lights at night. Because of the halos, you may get headaches from looking at street lamps and headlights as well.
If you ever feel unsafe while driving, stop. You should find a family member or friend that can drive you instead. This is safer for you and for others on the road!
3. Vision Changes
For most patients, cataracts start off small and develop slowly over time. Early on, they do not impact your vision.
You may not even realize you have cataracts at first. As they continue developing, they will get larger and cause your vision to worsen.
Getting frequent eye exams is the best way to diagnose and watch cataracts. Cataracts can also give you blurry and dull vision.
Cataracts can cause some patients to experience light sensitivity, see halos and glare around lights at night, and need more light to complete activities. Although it’s less common, patients with cataracts can experience double vision. This can occur in one or both eyes.
4. Needing Many Prescription Changes
When you have cataracts, your vision changes. Sometimes patients can go from being able to read easily to needing glasses to read a book.
These changes can happen within months. Needing many new prescriptions in a short period of time is a very common symptom of cataracts.
5. Requiring Stronger Light
As your cataracts develop, you might need stronger light to see things clearly. This can be an issue when you are trying to do a detail-oriented task.
Tasks like reading, sewing, or trying to read a friend’s facial expressions may become difficult. Having more light can help you see clearly for a time. You will reach a point where it no longer helps.
Do the signs of having cataracts sound familiar? Schedule a cataract screening at Complete EyeCare West in Columbus, OH with one of our ophthalmologists!
