Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions and it mostly affects patients who are over forty. Cataracts develop when there are strands of protein that start forming on your lens making your vision blurry. Your optometrist is an expert in diagnosing cataracts and the condition is easily treated, however if left untreated it can lead to blindness. Here is a closer look at how cataracts develop.
Symptoms of Cataracts
They symptoms for cataracts will vary depending on where they happen to be located and if you have them in one or both eyes. It can take years for cataracts to develop and you will notice your eyesight getting worse as time goes on. Here are some of the symptoms that you might notice as cataracts start growing and impacting your ability to see.
- Blurry or double vision
- Sensitivity to bright lights or glare
- Frequent changes in the prescriptions of your glasses and sunglasses
- Changes in the color of your eyes
- Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
- Halo effect around lights.
Difficult with Everyday Tasks
As your cataracts grow you will notice changes in your vision, this is a common problem among cataract sufferers. It can start with noticing a halo effect that happens around lights, it won’t matter if it is natural light or light bulbs in your home. This also makes driving at night very uncomfortable and it can be dangerous as well. The glare from the oncoming headlights creates the halo effect and become blinding, this can drastically impair your ability to see while driving and you can find yourself in an accident. You may also have problems distinguishing colors and separating shapes from their background this may also affect your ability to read.
Health Conditions that Lead to Cataracts
Cataracts can be caused from a bunch of different health conditions including other eye illnesses and diabetes. However, according to other optometrists here in Raleigh, NC, age seems to be the biggest factor in developing cataracts. They are rarely diagnosed in 20 year olds but are incredibly common among 80 year olds. If you are over 70, cataracts can affect you and deteriorate your vision quickly. No matter your age a cataract is an easily treated condition and cataract surgery is both safe and effective. The recovery time is minimal and you can have your vision back within days. If you even suspect you may have cataracts then please contact your optometrist promptly to have the condition fixed.