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Low Vision, Part 4: Signs of Cataracts

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Cataract patients understand the frustration of losing vision quality, developing blurred vision, and experiencing all the other symptoms associated with cataract development. Cataracts interfere with the eye’s lens and block light from entering the eye(s) properly to create a clear image for the patient. 

Cataract development is often slow and can go undetected for a while. However, patients with cataracts will eventually notice the warning signs over time. 

Signs of Cataracts

If you suspect you are developing a cataract in one or both of your eyes, you may notice symptoms like:

  • Cloudy, blurry, or dimmer vision
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Difficulty seeing, even in bright or well-lit rooms
  • Double vision
  • Eye sensitivity to lights and glare
  • “Halo” development around objects
  • Inability to see colors accurately
  • Increased changes to eyewear prescription 

Types of Cataracts

Cataracts do not always develop in the same spot of the eye for every patient or around the same age. Although cataracts are more common in older patients and tend to develop in the center of the lens, several cataract types can affect vision, including:

Congenital Cataracts (cataracts at birth)

Babies with congenital cataracts or young children who develop cataracts early can struggle with their vision, but not always. When discovered, doctors can remove the cataracts and restore eyesight. 

Signs of congenital cataracts include: 

  • Cloudy lenses or grayish/whitish pupils
  • Rapid eye movements
  • Trouble seeing

Cortical Cataracts (edge of the lens)

Cataracts that develop on the edge of the lens tend to create whitish steaks on the sides of the lens. These will extend to the center of the lens and cause vision difficulties, especially with light. 

Signs of cortical cataracts include:

  • Appearance of blurry streaks 
  • Decreased vision quality
  • Difficulties with nighttime driving
  • General blurriness 
  • Glare from bright lights, like the sun

Nuclear Cataracts (center of the lens)

Patients with cataracts in the center of their lens often experience nearsightedness and cloudy, yellowed, or brownish vision. 

Signs of nuclear cataracts include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Cloudy lenses or grayish/whitish pupils
  • Difficulties driving at any time of day
  • Difficulty seeing in bright settings
  • Dulled color quality 
  • Hardened lenses
  • Major challenges with distant vision

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts (back of the lens)

Patients with posterior subcapsular cataracts will experience an opaque development in the back of the lens where light is filtered. 

Signs of posterior subcapsular cataracts include:

  • Blurriness
  • Glares and halos around objects, especially around lights
  • Decline in near-vision quality
  • Double vision or multi-vision

Cataracts may interfere with vision, but they don’t have to be permanent. The skilled ophthalmologists at Eyesight Associates can diagnose your cataracts and perform successful cataract removal surgery to achieve clear vision again. Schedule an appointment with us today: 478-923-5872

Thank you for checking out part 4 of our 5-part blog series on Low Vision. Stay tuned for next month’s blog, and check out any of the ones you might have missed: