Top 5 Signs you have Cataracts

Age-related cataracts usually develop slowly. Over time, the natural lens inside your eye can become cloudy. This clouding of the lens can affect how clearly you see.

In the early stages, cataracts may cause few noticeable symptoms. As they progress, they can cause blurry vision, glare and other vision problems that affect your daily activities.

Knowing the common signs can help you recognise when it may be time to see an eye doctor for an eye examination.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful of all surgeries in Australia. It was once thought that cataracts needed to reach a certain stage and ‘become ripe’ before they could be operated on. This is no longer the case. Cataracts affect over 700,000 Australians and the sooner they are treated the sooner cataract sufferers can enjoy better vision.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. The lens sits behind the iris and helps focus light onto the retina.

As cataracts develop, the lens can become less clear. This can make it harder for light to pass through the eye and may affect your vision.

There are different types of cataracts. These cataracts include nuclear cataracts, cortical cataracts and posterior subcapsular cataracts. Cataracts can also be present from birth, known as congenital cataracts.

Age is a common risk of cataract, but cataracts can also be linked to other risk factors.

Cataract risk factors

Anyone can develop cataracts, although some people have a higher risk. Risk factors can include getting older, diabetes, smoking, long-term exposure to UV light and previous eye injuries.

Some medicines and other eye diseases can also affect the risk of developing cataracts.

Having a risk factor does not mean that you will develop cataracts. If you have concerns about your vision, an eye examination can help identify the cause.

Top 5 Cataract Symptoms

The following symptoms may be a sign you have cataracts and that they are starting to affect you vision:

1. Blurred vision

One of the most common symptoms of cataracts is blurry vision. Objects may look less sharp or clear than they used to. We all have periods of blurry vision but if this is persistent it could be a sign of cataracts. The increasingly cloudy lens blocks the sharpness of light focused on the retina contributing to an equal loss in sharpness of vision.

You may notice that your distance vision becomes less clear. Reading or other close-up tasks may also become harder.

Blurred vision can have many causes, so it does not always mean that you have a cataract. An eye examination can help determine what is causing your vision problems.

2. Increased sensitivity to light and glare

Cataracts can make some people more sensitive to bright lights. You may notice more glare from car headlights, lamps or sunlight.

You may also see halos around lights, particularly at night. These changes can make activities such as driving at night more difficult.

If glare is affecting your daily activities, speak with an eye doctor or eye specialist.

3. Difficulty with night vision & driving at night

Cataracts can affect your ability to see clearly in low-light conditions. You may find it harder to see when walking or driving at night.

Oncoming headlights can also appear brighter or create more glare. This may make it harder to see the road clearly.

If your vision has changed and you are concerned about driving, an eye specialist can assess your eyes and discuss your options.

4. Colours looking less vibrant

Another possible symptom of cataracts is a change in how colours appear.

Colours may look less bright or seem to have a yellow or brown tint. This change can happen gradually, so you may not notice it at first.

If you notice that colours look different from before, an eye examination can help determine whether cataracts or another eye condition could be responsible.

5. Rapid changes in your prescription

Cataracts can sometimes cause changes to your glasses prescription. You may find that your prescription changes more often than usual or that your glasses or contacts no longer provide the same level of clear vision.

A change in prescription does not necessarily mean you have cataracts. However, if you are also experiencing blurry vision, glare or other changes, it is worth having your eyes checked.

When should I see an eye specialist?

One or more of these symptoms, particularly if you have any of the key risk factors, it is important to have your eyes checked. Even if you do not experience any of these symptoms, having a regular eye test can help diagnose cataracts and other conditions like glaucoma which often have few symptoms but more long-lasting and irreversible effects.

An eye doctor can examine your natural lens and other parts of your eyes. They can determine whether cataracts are present and assess how much they are affecting your vision.

You do not necessarily need cataract surgery as soon as a cataract is diagnosed. The timing of treatment depends on your individual circumstances and how much your vision is affecting your daily life.

How are cataracts treated?

If cataracts are causing significant vision problems, your eye specialist may discuss cataract surgery with you.

Cataract surgery is a surgical procedure that removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. The cloudy lens is removed from the eye while the outer lens capsule is generally left in place to support the new lens.

The type of artificial lens used can vary. Your surgeon will discuss the available options and help you understand what may be suitable for your eyes and vision needs.

Like any surgical procedure, cataract surgery has potential risks and side effects. Your surgeon should explain these, along with the expected recovery and alternative options, before you make a decision.

Discuss your cataract treatment options

Envision Eye Centre is a boutique Ophthalmology practice in Sydney CBD. We specialise in cataract surgery, refractive surgery and corneal disease. Our skilled surgeons offer both traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgery with often minimum wait times. Book an appointment with us to properly diagnose and treat your cataracts so you can enjoy clear vibrant vision sooner.