Cataracts occur when the lens in your eye — the part that focuses light so you can see — clouds over. This happens as proteins in the lens break down.
Although you can get cataracts at any age, they often appear late in life. Over half of people in the United States over 80 either have cataracts or have had surgery to replace a clouded lens.
While laser cataract surgery is effective, detecting cataracts early can preserve your vision for as long as possible and delay a potential surgery，and avoid the high cost of ineffective prescription glasses changes.
At iSight Vision Care in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach, California, board-certified ophthalmologist Vicki Lin, MD, checks for cataracts as part of every routine eye exam. This includes diabetic eye exams, because diabetes increases cataract risk.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the earliest signs of cataracts so you can get the treatment you need.
Early signs of cataracts include noticeable changes in your eyesight. Some of these are subtle enough that you might ignore them at first.
Do you see your eye doctor multiple times a year? If you need a new contact lens or glasses prescription with every visit, these frequent changes in visual acuity could be an early sign of cataracts.
Declining night vision is an often-overlooked symptom of cataracts. You might find it increasingly difficult to drive at night because of glares or halos that appear around lights. Seeing detail in dim lighting becomes nearly impossible.
As cataracts progress, your vision may become cloudier. Some say it looks like they’re peering through a frosted window at the world outside.
As night vision declines, light sensitivity worsens at the other end of the spectrum. The sun, household lamps, and car headlights might seem too bright.
Colors often appear faded to those with cataracts, which might not seem apparent until the condition is more advanced.
Everyone’s risk for cataracts increases with age, but you might have a higher risk than average. Here are some common cataract risk factors:
Dr. Lin can help you explore risk factors that apply to you and take steps to prevent or slow cataract development.
If Dr. Lin detects signs of cataracts during an eye exam, she’ll talk to you about your treatment options. If your symptoms severely impact your vision, cataract surgery may be an option. Dr. Lin offers multiple lens types to restore your eyesight after removing a cataract lens.
Call iSight Vision Care or request your next appointment online today.
