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Are You Suffering From Cataracts And Don’t Know It?

Posted by: Georgia Eye Associates in Cataracts

As we approach middle age, our eyesight tends to decline. It may not be noticeable at first, but many people develop presbyopia. This is just a natural part of getting older!

Having a hard time focusing on things up close is normal and usually requires a pair of reading glasses. But if you find yourself having a harder time seeing, you may have cataracts.

Cataracts happen as the crystalline lens in your eye becomes cloudy. This is usually a natural side effect of aging.

But people can get cataracts at any age, and even being 40 puts you at higher risk.

At first, you may not notice you have cataracts. As they get worse, you may experience some of the following symptoms.

These symptoms are a good sign that you may have cataracts. Think you have cataracts? Not sure? Keep reading for some symptoms to watch out for!

Blurry Vision

One of the primary symptoms of cataracts is having blurred or cloudy vision. This is because the lens that you see through becomes cloudy.

This can often be mistaken for declining eyesight, but a stronger pair of reading glasses won’t help. The worse your cataracts get, the blurrier your vision will become.

Poor Night Vision

Cataracts make it difficult to see in low light. People with cataracts can find themselves needing more light to read.

They may also have a hard time driving at night. If you find you have trouble seeing at night, it’s a good sign that you may have cataracts.

Light Sensitivity

Cataracts sometimes make your eyes more sensitive to light, especially at night. Bright lights in an otherwise dark setting may make you want to squint or look away.

This increased sensitivity can make it difficult to see at all at night. This is true even when you’re in well-lit areas.

Halos and Glare

Besides light sensitivity, people with cataracts often experience glare and halos around lights. This is particularly prevalent at night, especially with street lights and headlights.

Due to light sensitivity and poor night vision, glare can make driving at night difficult.

Difficulty Seeing Contrast

Cataracts can make it hard to make out objects that are on a similar colored background. When the lens becomes clouded, colors often become dull and yellowish.

This makes it hard to see the differences between colors. This is especially true for similar shades of blue and green.

Monocular Double Vision

An odd symptom of cataracts is monocular double vision. This means that you see double when you only have one eye open.

Monocular double vision is a sign that there’s an issue with your eye’s cornea or lens. More often than not, this issue is a cataract.

If you’re seeing double with both eyes open, you should see your eye doctor. This is usually an indicator of a serious health concern or brain injury.

Experiencing any of these symptoms? Schedule a cataract screening at Georgia Eye Associates in Atlanta, GA today!