Early Symptoms of Cataract

This article is for those who suspect that they may suffer from cataracts. There is a common perception that the symptoms of cataracts are easy to spot – in the form of a visible clouding of the eye. In reality, recognising the signs of cataracts is not so straightforward. Only an eye doctor would be able to properly diagnose their development.

Other than the obvious white cloud over the eye, people who suffer from cataracts often begin to see colours with less intensity and vibrancy. In addition, vision will appear blurry and cloudy. This group of people will request for their glasses or contact lenses to be changed to that of higher powers more frequently. These are some early signs of cataracts that you should be looking out for especially if you are above the age of 55 years old.

Surprisingly, it has been found that children or younger adults may also be at risk of developing cataracts. Some may be born with cataracts while some may develop it as a complication of diabetes. Others may be at higher risk of having cataracts due to an eye injury.  For older patients, cataract symptoms may develop as a consequence of prolonged and excessive exposure to ultraviolet UV rays from the sun’s harsh beams of light. In all other cases, cataracts are simply a natural part of ageing.

There are preventive tips to follow if you hope to delay the process of developing cataracts. For a start, it is necessary to wear UV blocking sunglasses harmful UV rays from entering the eyes. Next, it is crucial to maintain a balanced diet and healthy eating habits. This will minimise the chances of becoming diabetic, and of cataracts developing due to diabetes. Finally, if you are already suffering from diabetes, it is advisable to curb its progression and deterioration by seeking professional medical advice and treatment. This is to prevent the condition from advancing into later stages where it can start to impair your vision.

If you think you may have developed cataracts, acting early is very important. Cataracts are basically like white clouds positioned right in front of the eye. It prevents sufficient light from entering the eye and as a result things start to look hazy and blur. Even if you increase the power of your glasses, it will not restore vision back to normal. 

Waiting until later stages to treat cataracts can lead to blindness. However, one can be suffering from cataracts for months to years before his quality of life starts to get compromised. It is dangerous to wait for the cataracts to worsen to the point that vision starts to become poor, before approaching an eye doctor for next steps. Treatment for cataracts can and should be done as early as possible!

The corrective procedure requires an incision for the cataract to be broken apart and removed. An artificial lens, also known as the intra-ocular lens, is inserted in place of the original lens that has been removed. Presently, there are no other medical solutions for this condition. There is no form of diet or laser correcting method to invade and clear the cataract that has been proven to be effective.

In conclusion, we highly encourage going for yearly eye checkups to ensure and maintain good eye health. It is also very important not to ignore any abnormal discomfort in your eyes or any changes in your quality of vision. Letting your ophthalmologist know about any concerns you have, as early as you have them, can be instrumental in making an early diagnosis about your condition.