What is Cataract? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis
Cataracts develop when the lens in your eye - which is clear - gets cloudy. This clouding makes it hard for light to pass through the lens and reach the retina.
This affects both distance and near vision. It can also make things seem hazy or blurry.
Blurred or cloudy vision
Blurred or cloudy vision is a common symptom of many eye problems. It can occur for a variety of reasons, including nearsightedness or farsightedness, refractive errors like astigmatism, or cataracts. Next article
It may also be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as glaucoma or diabetes. In these conditions, a thick substance builds up in the retina and causes vision to become blurry.
Usually, cloudy vision is not a cause for concern, but it's best to see your doctor if it lasts longer than a day or two. Your doctor can diagnose the underlying problem and recommend treatment options.
Cataracts are a common cause of blurry vision, especially in people over 40. This eye condition develops slowly and usually worsens over time, making it a very serious condition.
In most cases, cataracts are treatable with surgery. However, some patients develop a type of cloudy lens after cataract surgery called posterior capsular opacification (PCO). This thin film grows over your natural clear lens and makes your vision cloudy. Laser surgery is typically used to remove this cloudiness.
Other eye conditions can make your vision appear cloudy, including diabetic retinopathy and Fuchs' dystrophy. Both of these conditions damage the cells in the cornea that pump fluid out of the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy happens when elevated blood sugar levels cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina. It can lead to permanent loss of vision, but treatment can help slow the progression.
Other causes of blurry vision include infections, autoimmune diseases, and certain types of eyeglasses. Blurry vision may also be a sign of a medical emergency, such as a stroke or an injury.
Sensitivity to Light
Cataracts can be a symptom of several conditions, and many people with cataracts experience sensitivity to light. They may be able to use eye drops to help ease discomfort.
Some people develop photophobia as a side effect of certain medications. These can include drugs to treat diabetes, lupus, or other autoimmune diseases. Click for more
Others develop it after having an eye procedure, such as LASIK or cataract surgery. They may also develop it when they have a medical condition that affects the eyes or brain, such as migraine or traumatic head injury.
Besides these, some rare conditions can also cause sensitivity to light. For example, a child with albinism (no pigment in the eyes), total color deficiency, or a detached retina could have photophobia.
Other causes of photophobia can be related to a bacterial infection, such as meningitis or conjunctivitis. Mercury poisoning, rabies, and botulism can also lead to light sensitivity.
These conditions can result in blurred vision, stinging or burning of the eyes, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms. Treatment can include antibiotics, bed rest, and fluids for bacterial meningitis or anti-inflammatory medication for conjunctivitis.
Another possible underlying cause of light sensitivity is an imbalance of hormones in the body, which can cause migraines and other headaches. In these cases, your doctor may suggest medicine or surgery balance your hormones.
People with light sensitivity can try to manage their condition by staying out of direct sunlight, dimming lights when indoors, and using dark glasses or eye coverings. They can also consult with an eye care provider to find out what causes their sensitivity.
Halos Around Lights
The halos around lights are a common sight among those with cataracts. This is due to the diffraction of light in a cloudy lens. They are typically seen when looking at a bright, colorful light, like a headlamp or street lamp.
This condition is a sign that you may have cataracts, which is a common eye disease that causes your eyesight to become blurry or hazy. It also makes your vision less colorful and distorted, similar to a frosted window or foggy car windshield.
Your eye doctor will examine your eyes and find out what is causing the halos to appear. They can treat the underlying eye disorder and reduce the appearance of the halos. This can be as simple as a prescription update, or it may require surgery.
Another cause of halos is a cornea condition called astigmatism, which causes the light that enters your eyes to bend in an irregular way. This can lead to the appearance of halos, which are sometimes referred to as starbursts.
These halos can also be caused by an infection in your eye, like photokeratitis (sometimes compared to a sunburn). It happens when your eyes are exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun or other sources. It is a painful condition that lasts only for a few hours to a few days.
Seeing these halos is also one of the early warning signs of an acute form of glaucoma that requires treatment right away. It is a serious eye disease that can damage your vision and cause blindness.
Getting regular eye exams is the best way to keep your eye health in check. Your optometrist will be able to detect any changes in your vision and begin treatment as soon as possible to protect your eyes from permanent damage.
Needing More Light to Read
Cataracts are one of the most common eye disorders that afflict older adults. They are caused by changes in the proteins and fibers that make up the lens of your eye. The lenses can become cloudy or hazy, which can cause vision problems.
The lenses in your eyes are designed to amplify light and focus it on the retina, the area of the eye responsible for producing clear and sharp images for the brain to process. However, cataracts change the way light gets through your lenses and can cause a variety of issues with your vision.
Types of Cataracts
There are several different types of cataracts, but the most common is nuclear sclerotic. This type of cataract is a slow deterioration of your lens and takes years to develop.
When a cataract does develop, it often affects only a small part of your field of view at first. This is the main reason it’s important to have regular eye exams, so your eye care professional can catch the problem before it progresses too far.
If you are experiencing any of the following cataract symptoms, you should contact your eye care professional to set up a comprehensive eye examination. At these appointments, your eye health professional will conduct a wide range of tests to identify the exact causes of your symptoms and create a treatment plan that is specifically designed for you. The newest technology in eye care can help you enjoy better vision and prevent the onset of cataracts.
Vision Changes
A cataract is a buildup of proteins in the lens of the eye that interferes with the way light focuses on the retina. This happens because the protein clumps together, rather than evenly spreading out.
This can make your vision blurry or hazy, making it harder to see clearly. You may notice this change more when you are outdoors or in low lighting, like at night.
The cataract also can cause glare, which makes it hard to see well in bright light. You may need to use sunglasses to protect your eyes from glare.
Another symptom is that your vision becomes less clear as the cataract progresses, making it difficult to read or drive. You may also notice changes in how you perceive color. Some hues and shades will look faded, and it will be harder to distinguish blues and purples.
Usually, this change doesn’t affect your everyday vision much in the beginning. But as it gets worse, you’ll notice a hazy or brown tint to your vision. This can be a problem when driving at night or trying to read.
If you have a cataract, your doctor will give you a full eye exam to check your vision and see how much it is impacted by the cloudy lens. The doctor will use special eye drops to dilate your pupil (the black part of your eye), so he can get a good look at the lens inside your eye.
If you have a cataract, your doctor can offer you surgery to remove it and replace it with an artificial lens. This is a safe and effective procedure that can improve your quality of life and increase your confidence.
