6 of the Most Concerning Cataract Symptoms

As adults age, their lifestyle often changes to adapt to new concerns. Activities that were once easy now pose challenges, and what was once an everyday habit now feels risky, even dangerous. 

If these lifestyle changes are related to changes in vision, it could be the onset of cataracts. You don’t have to live a smaller, more restricted life. 

Cataract surgery can restore your sight and give you even better sight than you were born with. However, first, you must determine if your symptoms are caused by cataracts.

Keep reading to learn six of the most concerning cataract symptoms!

1. Blurry Vision

One of the most common symptoms of cataracts is blurry vision. Often, blurry vision can appear like a film over your vision, causing all objects to be hazy.

Many people with cataracts also notice that colors tend to appear duller and less vibrant than they used to.

2. Light Sensitivity

You used to step outside from a dark interior to bright sunlight without thinking twice. Now, it’s painful to be exposed to that much light all at once. 

You might squint, shade your eyes, or have to stop for a moment until you can make out your surroundings. This is light sensitivity.

Although you can experience this symptom due to various eye conditions, it can indicate that you’re developing cataracts.

3. Glare and Halos Around Lights

While this may not be so noticeable in the daytime, at night, when you go outside, the glow of streetlamps is no longer defined by sharp edges. Instead, they flare into rosettes of light or have a rainbow halo around them.

This can create glare that makes everything difficult to see. Many people first notice this symptom from oncoming headlights while driving at night. Glare and halos are other symptoms of cataracts.

4. Difficulty Focusing in Dim Light

This symptom is most noticeable when trying to read a menu in an intimate restaurant with low lighting. You can see, but the print is hard to read unless you pull out your phone and use the flashlight feature.

When reading a book, you may have to sit by a bright light source in order to read the words on the page. Cloudy cataracts are the likely culprit.

5. Double Vision

Does everything look blurry when you do close-up work and then try to see at a distance? Or when you read a book, do you find yourself favoring one eye or even shutting the other without noticing it? 

When cataracts form, it affects the ability of your eyes to focus. Due to this, some people with cataracts experience double vision. 

When reading, you may see two sets of sentences, one sharper and one like a shadow. You may find it hard to watch television or a movie. 

6. Day-to-Day Tasks Are More Challenging

You may be misjudging the position of things because your depth perception is altered. Maybe you’ve stuck yourself with a needle while hand sewing or nicked a fingernail while chopping vegetables on a cutting board. 

Cataracts may be the reason you have to take extra care in performing routine activities. If any of these are challenges you’re facing, make an appointment with your eye doctor. 

You don’t have to live a compromised life. Cataract surgery is minimally invasive and will return you to all the activities you’ve always loved doing. 

Are you experiencing common symptoms of cataracts? Schedule an appointment at Mid Ohio Eye in Columbus, OH, today!