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Cataract Symptoms: Signs, Causes & Treatment

A cataract clouds the natural lens of the eye, causing blurred vision, light sensitivity, and color changes. Early diagnosis allows effective treatment and vision preservation.

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Things worth knowing about "Cataract symptoms"

A cataract clouds the natural lens of the eye, causing blurred vision, light sensitivity, and color changes. Early diagnosis allows effective treatment and vision preservation.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. The lens sits behind the iris and pupil and is normally clear, allowing light to pass through and focus sharply on the retina. When the lens becomes cloudy, light cannot pass through properly, leading to impaired vision. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide, but in most cases they are highly treatable with a safe surgical procedure.

Symptoms of a Cataract

Cataract symptoms typically develop gradually over months or years. Many people do not notice significant changes until their vision is already considerably affected. Common symptoms include:

Blurred or cloudy vision: The most common and earliest sign. Objects and people appear hazy or out of focus, as if looking through a foggy window.
Increased sensitivity to light and glare: Bright lights, sunlight, or vehicle headlights feel uncomfortable or even painful. Night driving can become particularly difficult and hazardous.
Halos around lights: Rings or glowing circles may appear around light sources such as lamps or streetlights.
Faded or yellowed colors: Colors may appear dull, washed out, or take on a yellowish or brownish tint.
Double vision in one eye: A single object may appear as two or more overlapping images, even when only one eye is used.
Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription: Vision changes may require increasingly frequent updates to glasses or contact lens prescriptions.
Poor night and low-light vision: Seeing in dim lighting or at night becomes noticeably more difficult.
Temporary improvement in near vision: In early stages, some people experience a brief improvement in near vision (sometimes called a second sight), before overall vision deteriorates further.

Causes and Risk Factors

The most common cause of cataracts is natural aging. The risk increases significantly after the age of 60. Other causes and risk factors include:

Diabetes mellitus: Elevated blood sugar levels can damage the lens over time.
UV radiation: Prolonged exposure to sunlight without adequate eye protection increases the risk.
Smoking and alcohol consumption: Both promote oxidative stress, which can damage the lens proteins.
Medications: Long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with cataract development.
Eye injuries or previous eye surgery: Trauma or prior surgical procedures on the eye can increase risk.
Genetic predisposition: A family history of cataracts is a known risk factor.
Congenital cataract: In rare cases, cataracts may be present at birth (congenital cataract).

Diagnosis

Cataracts are diagnosed by an ophthalmologist using several examinations:

Slit-lamp examination: A specialized microscope illuminates the eye, allowing the doctor to examine the lens for clouding.
Visual acuity test: Standard vision testing using an eye chart to measure how well you see at various distances.
Intraocular pressure measurement: To rule out glaucoma, which can occur alongside cataracts.
Fundoscopy: Examination of the back of the eye to assess the retina and optic nerve.

Treatment

There are currently no medications that can reverse an existing cataract. The only effective treatment is surgery, which is recommended when vision impairment significantly interferes with daily activities.

Cataract Surgery

The most common procedure is phacoemulsification: the clouded lens is broken up using ultrasound energy and gently suctioned out of the eye. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is then implanted in its place. The procedure typically takes only 15 to 30 minutes, is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, and has an excellent safety profile. Most patients experience a significant improvement in vision following the operation.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience persistent blurred vision, increasing sensitivity to glare, or noticeable changes in color perception, you should consult an eye doctor promptly. The earlier a cataract is detected, the better the long-term outlook for preserving good vision.

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Blindness and vision impairment. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment (2023)
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): Cataract in the Adult Eye - Preferred Practice Pattern. https://www.aao.org (2021)
Kanski J.J., Bowling B.: Clinical Ophthalmology: A Systematic Approach. 8th edition. Elsevier, Edinburgh (2016)

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