Cataracts in the early stages do not affect your vision drastically, and you may not feel any disruption in vision as you go about your everyday activities.
But as time goes by, cataracts can worsen and start to affect your vision and, in turn, your life, preventing you from leading an active lifestyle. This is one of the signs indicating that you need to undergo cataract surgery.
Here are a few other signs that will help you identify whether it is time to get the surgery done.
If You Have Trouble Driving
Cataracts can make driving at night both difficult and dangerous. It is because cataract causes a lot of glare, mainly when you are exposed to a low-light setting. It can create double visions and halos, which will impact your ability to see the signs while driving.
You will notice this mainly while driving during the night when the vehicles’ headlights produce unbearable amounts of glare. At any point in time, if you feel unsafe while driving, you have to talk to your doctor about the next steps immediately and whether it is time to get the cataract surgery.
If You Experience Second Sight
Cataracts can sometimes temporarily improve a person’s ability to see close-ups. In this case, the cataract itself acts as a stronger lens, and this condition is known as second sight. If you are someone who uses reading glasses, you may feel the need to not use them anymore if you are in this stage.
But on the longer course, as the cataract worsens, this short window of happiness disappears, and your vision can further worsen.
High Sensitivity to Light
Besides making it harder to see in the dark, a cataract also makes you sensitive to light. Especially for people who have cataracts growing on the back of their lenses, exposure to bright interior lights or sunlight can cause pain.
The glare produced can be dangerous and stressful if you are engaged in high-risk activities like sports or driving. This is a sure-shot indicator that you require cataract surgery soon.
If You Experience Double Vision
Clouding, which you will experience because of a cataract, can drive you to see two or more images of a singular object. It is known as double vision, and it occurs when your lens becomes diffracted.
Usually, you will experience double vision only in one of the eyes, and driving or doing your day-to-day work while going through this can be very scary and dangerous. Double vision can render you distracted and disoriented, and it is a good sign that you may require surgery soon.
If You Notice Halos & Yellow Hues
As your eye’s lens gets duller and dimmer over time, it can darken your cataract. At this time, you will notice that your vision is tinted brown or yellow. It will impair your vision, and as it gets more distorted, you will start to see less.
This can make it difficult for you to read, distinguish different colors, perceive details, and hinders your daily activity. If this gets more difficult, it is high time you get the surgery.
Though your eye doctor will have a track of your progress, it is important that you know what is in store as well. If you experience any of these signs, visit your doctor immediately for a checkup.
I had no idea that someone with cataracts will experience difficulty seeing in the dark and episodes of cloudy vision. heard this term from a TV commercial yesterday, and it started to get me anxious. I’ll probably keep this in mind and visit an optometrist if ever this happens to me in the future.
I like that you mentioned how cataracts could make driving at night both difficult and dangerous. My uncle has been complaining about his vision for quite a while now and it is probably due to cataracts. Surgery might be his best option right now, so he should probably consult with a cataract surgeon soon.
When you mentioned something about “double vision”, I recall something my father said. He told me he’s been “seeing two things at once” all the time, and I feel like this is dangerously close as a sign that he’s experiencing cataracts. I’ll take him to a local optometrist so they can help him out with any treatment that he may need.