Vision Problems with Cataracts
Cataracts can gradually interfere with your eyesight, often without pain or immediate warning. As the clear natural lens of your eye becomes cloudy, you may start to notice subtle but progressive changes in how you see the world around you. These changes can be frustrating, especially when they begin to affect daily tasks like reading, driving, or recognizing faces.
Here are the most common vision problems people experience as cataracts develop:
1. Blurry or Cloudy Vision
One of the first and most noticeable signs of cataracts is a gradual blurring of vision. It may feel like you’re always looking through a foggy or smudged glass. Small print becomes harder to read, and details in faces or objects start to fade. This cloudiness can vary throughout the day, becoming worse in bright sunlight or dim lighting.
2. Increased Sensitivity to Light
Bright lights, especially from headlights during night driving or harsh indoor lighting, may become uncomfortable. You may find yourself squinting more often, and certain lighting environments that never bothered you before suddenly cause eye strain or discomfort.
3. Halos Around Lights
Cataracts can cause you to see halos or rings of light around streetlamps, car headlights, or any point of bright light — especially at night. This makes driving in the dark not only difficult but also dangerous due to reduced visibility and glare.
4. Difficulty Seeing at Night
As cataracts progress, night vision often deteriorates. Low-light settings like evening walks, dimly lit restaurants, or nighttime reading may become hard to manage. You may need additional light to read or move around safely, and even then, your vision may not feel sharp.
5. Faded or Yellowed Colors
Colors may start to look less vibrant. White may appear more yellowish, and everything might seem like it has a dull, brownish tint. This can affect your enjoyment of daily activities — like painting, cooking, gardening, or even picking out clothes — where recognizing color is important.
6. Double Vision in One Eye
Some cataract patients report double vision or “ghost images” — where one object appears as two or more overlapping images in the affected eye. This symptom may come and go, but it can be very distracting, especially when reading or focusing on small objects.
7. Frequent Prescription Changes
Are you finding yourself needing new glasses or contact lenses every few months, but still not getting clear vision? That’s a tell-tale sign that a cataract is progressing. While early cataracts can sometimes be managed with prescription updates, advanced cataracts don’t respond well to corrective lenses.
When to See an Eye Specialist
If you’re experiencing one or more of these vision issues — especially if they’re affecting your independence or quality of life — it’s time to consult an eye doctor. Cataracts are one of the most common age-related eye conditions, and fortunately, they’re easily diagnosed and treatable.
Catching them early can help you plan the right time for surgery and explore your options for premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) that can restore — and even enhance — your vision.