Vision is one of our most important senses and one we rely on to help us with everyday life. However, in many situations, it’s not always going to be at its best, with conditions like cataracts seeing the need for cataract surgery.
Cataracts affect over 700,000 Australians, and it’s the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Given its prevalence in most populations, it’s essential to look out for signs of this condition commonly associated with the natural aging process.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are defined as being cloudiness of your eyes’ usually clear lenses. They tend to develop slowly over time and require diagnosis by a medical professional. Cataracts can be treated, but early diagnosis is crucial to a successful outcome. Therefore, it can be essential to look out for some of the following signs of cataracts.
Clouded or Blurred Vision
Blurred vision can be caused by many things, such as migraines, refractive errors, and cornea abrasions. However, one of the most common causes of blurred or clouded vision as you age is cataracts.
Sometimes, you may notice that blurriness is only present in one eye or in some parts of your eye. However, that blurriness or cloudiness may worsen as the cataract grows larger.
Poor Vision at Night
Most of us will, of course, see less perfectly at night. However, if you’ve noticed a change in how well you can see at night, especially while driving, seeing your local optometrist may be crucial. Increased difficulty with your vision in low lighting can be one of the most common symptoms of cataracts.
You See Halos
If you see what appear to be halos or rings around your eyes in different colours, cataracts might be to blame. An increased cloudiness of your eye lenses may be causing light diffraction. As a result, you may start to see halos present around sources of light.
These halos can make driving increasingly difficult, which means seeing an optometrist if you suspect cataracts can be essential.
You Need New Glasses Often
It’s not uncommon for your contacts and glasses prescriptions to change over time, but the increased frequency can signal cataracts. If you keep noticing that each pair of glasses you buy is simply not strong enough, make an appointment with your optometrist.
How You See Colour is Changing
Given how slowly cataracts can form, it may not be immediately noticeable that colours have changed around you. However, if you can think back to how something you own used to look compared to how it looks now, that might give you a sign that something isn’t right.
When cataracts progress, protein clumps on your lenses may start to turn brown or yellow in colour. This can cause light coming into your eyes to look yellow. Some people compare it to wearing glasses that block violet and blue light. After cataract surgery, the colour difference for some people can be dramatic.
You’re Seeing Double
Many serious health problems can cause you to see double, such as stroke, corneal swelling, and even a brain tumour. Although, seeing double is also a sign of cataracts. Visit your doctor to rule out other serious health problems.
Given how common cataracts are among the aging population, it makes sense to pay attention to as many of these signs as possible. If you believe you might have cataracts, consult a medical professional without delay. Your eye health and vision may just depend on it.