Cataracts impairs normal vision. Causes of cataracts include cortisone medication, trauma, diabetes, and aging. In fact, cataracts will affect most people if they live long enough. Diagnosis can be made when a doctor examines the eyes with a viewing instrument. Symptoms of early cataracts may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, antiglare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. If these measures do not help, surgically removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens is the only effective treatment. Removal is only necessary when vision loss interferes with your everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. You and your eye-care professional can discuss the surgery, and once you understand the benefits and risks, you can make an informed decision about whether cataract surgery is right for you. In most cases, delaying cataract surgery will not cause long-term damage to your eye or make the surgery more difficult.
Cataract is a painless condition where the normally clear aspirin-sized lens of the eye starts to become cloudy. The result is much like smearing grease over the lens
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a painless clouding of the internal lens of the eye. Because they block light from passing through the lens, cataracts make it difficult to see clearly and can even cause blindness over time. Cataracts are progressive, meaning they worsen with time. Most cases occur in older people, but sometimes they can be seen in younger people as well.
How Your Vision Is Affected By Cataracts
Light enters the eye and passes through the lens. The lens of the eye focuses light onto the retina, which transmits visual signals through the optic nerve to the brain. Clouding of the lens due to cataracts results in blurring of the images you see. Other problems with the eyes can also cause blurry vision, but cataracts produce some characteristic symptoms.
Cataract Symptom: Blurry Vision
The most common symptom of cataracts is seeing blurry images at any distance. People may describe their vision as foggy, cloudy, or filmy. Cataracts get worse with time, and less light reaches the retina. It may be especially hard for people with cataracts to see and drive at night.
Cataract Symptom: Glare
Glare, or sensitivity to light, is another symptom of cataracts. It can be difficult for a person with cataracts to see in bright sunlight. Indoor lights may begin to seem too bright, or they may appear to have halos around them. Glare from oncoming headlights can cause problems with driving at night.
Cataract Symptom: Color Changes
Cataracts also affect color vision. Some colors may appear faded, and things may acquire a yellowish or brownish tint. This may not be noticed at first, but with time, distinguishing between blues and purples can be difficult.
Cataract Symptom: Second Sight
The phenomenon known as "second sight" is another characteristic of cataracts. In this situation, the cataract acts as a stronger lens, temporarily improving the ability to see things at a close distance. People who formerly needed reading glasses may no longer need them. However, as the cataract worsens over time, this temporary improvement in near vision disappears
