What is a cataract?
A cataract forms as the natural lens inside the eye clouds over. Protein builds up in the lens, causing vision changes.
Cataracts may result from many conditions including congenital (from birth) defect, chronic eye disease, system-wide diseases (like diabetes), or eye trauma. By far the most common cause is simply ageing. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans. By the time you are between 75 to 84 years of age, you have a 90% chance of having one!
Cataracts are not a disease, they occur in everyone if they live long enough.
Cataract Signs and Symptoms
Early on, you may not notice any vision changes. The changes in the natural lens are gradual and can take 10-20 years to mature. Some people with a cataract find that their close-up vision improves, but this temporary effect dissipates as the cataract grows. Common symptoms are:
- Blurred vision
- Glare from lamps, headlights, or sunlight
- Headlights that seem too bright at night
- Halos around lights
- Cloudy vision
- Dimming of vision
- Needing brighter light for reading
- Reduced color perception
- Frequent changes in prescription correction
If you’d like to see examples of what your vision appears like with or without cataracts, please visit: https://www.clearvisionforyou.com/en-us/vision-simulator/
This simulator will also demonstrate what different types of lenses can do for your vision in differing environments.
The next step toward restoring your vision is a full examination by one of our surgeons. Please contact our office if you are having any cataract like symptoms. You don’t have to put up with poor vision caused by cataracts!
