Changes in your vision can often feel subtle at first, but may hint at underlying conditions worth addressing, like cataracts. Cataracts develop gradually over time and are one of the most common eye conditions older adults experience.
Recognizing the early signs of cataracts can help you take proactive steps toward safeguarding your sight:
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Fading or yellow colours
Visual disruptions from cataracts can be frustrating, but the condition is very treatable with cataract surgery. It’s generally recommended once the cataract progresses and interferes with your daily activities.
The Early Signs of Cataracts
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can cause visual disruptions as the condition slowly progresses.
These changes are generally subtle for most people, making it easy to overlook these early signs. As the cataract worsens the visual disruptions can affect your daily life more as time goes on.
Familiarizing yourself with these warning signs can help you take early action and seek your optometrist’s care rather than brushing these changes off as minor disturbances.
Blurry or Cloudy Vision
One of the cataracts’ first signs is blurry or cloudy vision because of changes within the eye’s lens. People often describe this as feeling like they’re looking through a fogged-up window or a thin film.
The lens, which is normally clear, helps focus light onto the retina. As the cataracts begin to develop, proteins within the lens break down and clump together, scattering incoming light as it passes through the lens.
This disruption causes your vision to appear cloudy, foggy, or obscured.
Increased Sensitivity to Light
Another telling sign is sensitivity to light, especially from the sun or car headlights. This symptom can make it harder to drive at night or spend time in environments with bright lighting.
A healthy lens provides clear vision even in bright or low-light conditions. However, physical changes from cataracts scatter incoming light, leading to heightened glare and discomfort in bright settings, and more challenging to see in low-light conditions.
Besides, the glare or halos from oncoming headlights or streetlights can also appear more intense and distracting, further limiting visibility, as there’s already less available light to help you see clearly.
Fading or Yellowing Colours
Colours can appear more faded or dull, appearing as though your surroundings are less vibrant.
The chemical composition of the lens can shift, causing it to take on a yellowish or brownish tint. This directly affects your perception of colours, leading to yellowed vision.
Why Do Cataracts Develop?
The visual changes from cataracts can be disruptive but the condition’s development is considered a natural part of the aging process for many people.
Although age is the most significant factor, other contributors can include:
- Family history
- Long-term UV exposure
- Smoking
- Medical conditions like diabetes
- Certain medications, such as steroids
Although they can be frustrating, cataracts are highly treatable through cataract surgery, one the safest, most successful, and most common procedures. Most people notice significant improvements in vision within a few days of surgery.
When Is the Right Time for Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts can only be treated through surgery because the issue lies within the eye’s lens itself.
In its early stages, you may not need surgery immediately. Many people manage by updating their vision prescription to help improve some of the visual disruptions cataracts cause, but it’s a band-aid solution. As the condition progresses, updated glasses or contacts help less and less, as the eye’s lens continues to cloud and thicken.
Your optometrist is integral in monitoring cataract progression. During routine eye exams, they’ll assess how the condition advances and impacts your eyes and vision, and recommend the next steps.
When cataracts interfere significantly with everyday activities such as driving, working, reading, or watching TV, surgery is strongly recommended.
All About Cataract Surgery
The procedure is a simple outpatient process carried out by an ophthalmologist, who visits Whitehorse approximately every 6 weeks to perform cataract surgeries.
During the operation, your cloudy lens is replaced with a clear, artificial lens that restores your vision. The procedure is quick and relatively gentle but requires a few days of rest to encourage proper healing and recovery which takes about 8 weeks.
Throughout this process, your optometrist works collaboratively with you and your ophthalmologist and guides you through your personalized recovery plan. We’re here with you every step of the way!
Taking the First Step Toward Clear Vision
Cataracts are a natural, common part of aging, but they don’t have to stop you from enjoying life’s beautiful moments.
If you’re noticing changes in your vision, it’s time to act. Schedule a cataract evaluation with the Northern Lights Optometry Team to explore solutions tailored to your needs.
