Cataract Symptoms

Roughly 21 million adults in the United States alone suffer from cataracts. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that interferes with vision by diffusing light as it passes through the eye. A cataract may display a number of different symptoms and be caused by a variety of factors, including age, injury, and certain diseases. While some people have cataracts at birth or develop them early in life, the majority of cataract diagnoses occur in patients who are in their 60s or 70s. The effects of a cataract can include dim, blurry, cloudy, and foggy vision. Cataract symptoms may appear slowly and painlessly, but often require treatment as they progressively obstruct vision.

Signs of Cataracts

The following cataract symptoms may indicate the presence of this common eye disease:

• Cloudy or foggy vision
• Blurry or distorted vision
• Changes in color vision
• Frequent increases in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
• Poor night vision (especially affected by headlights)
• Progressive loss of vision
• Halos or glare around lights
• Double vision
• Loss of contrast
• A white or "milky" spot over the pupil of the eye

Cloudy vision, deteriorating vision, trouble with night vision, and problems with halos or glare are the most common and distinctive cataract symptoms.

What Should a Person with Cataract Symptoms Do?

Because all cataract types can cause cloudy vision, people who have any symptoms of cataracts should schedule regular appointments with an ophthalmologist. A qualified doctor can conduct a thorough eye examination, make an accurate diagnosis, and review treatment options with the patient.

An ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to remove a cataract if the condition interferes with normal daily activities such as reading, viewing a computer screen, or driving. Though not all patients require it, cataract surgery can prove to be a relatively safe and effective option for many people with cataract symptoms such as cloudy, blurry, or foggy vision.

Locate a Cataract Specialist

DocShop helps bridge the gap between doctors and patients by directing patients to informative websites that outline doctors’ areas of expertise, practice philosophies, professional and educational achievements, and more. DocShop enables you to select from a highly qualified and skilled group of ophthalmologists in your area that can advise you about the treatment of your cataract symptoms. Find an ophthalmologist in your area today.