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Cataracts are often known for their milky-white appearance, which can be visible to the naked eye, but this is just one type of cataract. They can present with many different symptoms that you may not expect.
Did you know that having cataracts can make bright lights less bearable? A cloudy lens distorts light and can cause additional strain and discomfort. Those with cataracts find themselves seeking areas with dimmer lights or shade.
Diplopia, also known as double vision, can result from the same light scattering that causes sensitivity. Light enters the cornea and comes through the lens to help you see. When the lens is cloudy, such as the case for a cataract, the light can be scattered in multiple different directions. This often causes a shadowing or doubling of images that can limit your day-to-day activities.
Speaking of activities, many patients with cataracts have a difficult time driving at night due to glare and discomfort from oncoming bright car headlights. Cataracts can also reduce color contrast and affect light perception, making nighttime vision even blurrier.
Your color perception, like your ability to see clear images, can be affected by light. With cataracts creating a yellow tint in your vision, colors may become muted if not completely desaturated. Depending on your occupation, this can be a hindrance at best or a safety issue at worst.
Consider each of the previous symptoms associated with cataracts. Between light sensitivity and night blindness forcing you into a contrasting setting, double vision limiting your eyesight in one or both eyes, and color desaturation making colors blend together, having cataracts could make reading longer texts more difficult and less enjoyable.
Dr. Allison Baker, a CEENTA cataract surgeon who practices out of our Concord and University offices, offers prudent advice for those who currently have cataracts or are afraid of having this condition later on in life. “Cataracts are universal. Pretty much everyone over age 50 is going to develop a cataract at some point, should they live long enough. Having an annual eye exam to check for the presence of cataracts is important, especially if you have any of the early symptoms such as difficulty night driving or feeling like you cannot see as well in dim-lighting conditions.
Regarding the best time to have a cataract appointment, Dr. Baker elaborates, “People often think they need to wait until their cataract gets to the classic 'white' appearance, but luckily, that is not the case. Cataracts can be removed with a ten-minute surgery as soon as they affect vision. Some patients need cataract surgery earlier, while others who are not symptomatic can wait. Your doctor can help you make the decision about whether or not to remove your cataracts with surgery."
A cloudy film over your eye is the most prominent symptom of cataract development, but it’s critical to understand how other warning signs can appear. A proper diagnosis from a board-certified cataract surgeon is your best course of action, and CEENTA is home to multiple specialists across nearly twenty offices in the Carolinas such as Dr. Baker who are available for surgical consultations at your convenience. To schedule your next cataract appointment with Dr. Baker at our Concord or University offices, use our online scheduling tool or myCEENTAchart.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor.
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