Cataracts Symptoms

Cataracts symptoms are evident when the condition has progressed to a certain point. A cataract is a condition that interferes with the eye lenses. They are located behind the iris near the pupil. The lenses in the eyes are indispensable in order to focus the incoming light on the retina.

The retina converts the light received into an electrical signal that the brain interprets as sight. The cataract problem tends to block and alter the light going through the lenses resulting in a vision problem. These lenses are composed of water and proteins. As people age the proteins slowly degenerate and start to cloud the lenses.

This illness develops very slowly under normal conditions as people age but other factors might accelerate its progress. More than 50% of senior citizens suffer from cataracts. The disease degrades the vision until many daily activities are almost impossible to do.

Participating in many activities like golfing and driving during the night can be very difficult if the condition is very advanced. Aside from the usual aging; the problem might appear early in childhood as a consequence of eye trauma or certain genetic disorders. Diabetes, certain medications, exposition to ultraviolet light and hypertension are known to be triggering factors of this condition.
 
Taking the necessary precautions is necessary to prevent further complications with this condition; the best way to do this is by paying attention to any of the cataracts symptoms.


Among the symptoms of cataracts you can experience:

- Blurred or double vision, sensitivity to glare, colors look less vivid, frequent vision changes, a white spot over the pupil and poor night vision.

- A person could have perfect vision during the day and perform all activities as usual but during the night might have problems. The glare of the headlights of other cars could blind an individual momentarily.

- Seeing in a low contrast environment can also be affect by cataracts.

- If you suffer from this disease you might have problems to see the lane markings at night and to determine if there are any objects in the road. That’s the reason why many older drivers do not drive at night and limit the distance they normally drive.


The illness cannot be detected through the regular eye test. Other tests that can help to accurately diagnose the problem are: glare sensitivity, color vision, night vision and peripheral or central vision. Sometimes cataracts never develop and there is no real need to treat them but most of the times they do grow and need immediate treatment.


Go to your optometrist immediately if you perceive any of the cataracts symptoms.




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