Cataracts are a clouding in the lens of an eye that causes the impairment of an individual’s vision. This eye disease affects over twenty-five million Americans that are 40 and over. Once individuals have reached 75, over half of them will be diagnosed with cataracts.
As adults age the eye’s lens starts to yellow and harden which creates blurry vision, dull perception of colors, and night time driving becomes difficult. Cataracts do not get better and in fact get worse overtime. In fact, cataracts have several stages as they progress. It is important to treat the symptoms of cataracts in order to slow or stop cataracts from getting worse. In order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan it is crucial to visit an ophthalmologist. Planning treatment for cataracts slows down the need for cataract surgery.
Early Warning Signs of Cataracts
Cataracts range in severity and the treatment will depend on the development and type of cataract you have. Early signs of cataracts include:
Cloudy Vision:
Fuzzy spots are the most obvious early sign of cataracts. If individuals start to experience small, fuzzy spots in your field of vision that seem to worsen over time, you may be developing one of the first sign of cataracts. These signs will start to make normal, daily activities harder than ever before. If you notice the quick onset of cloudy vision it is important to get into the eye doctor sooner rather than later.
Difficult Night Vision:
Individuals with the early stages of cataracts also mention a gradual decrease in vision at night. Changes to vision may include darkening or dimming and may also lead to tinges of brown and yellow. During the day changes may not be as noticeable because there is light to balance vision that is dimming however, at night it is instantly noticeable.
Light Sensitivity:
Individuals with emergent cataracts experience discomfort with bright lights. This becomes more and more difficult to manage as cataracts worsen. If you notice you are squinting or closing your eyes more around bright light or noticing headaches that come on quickly from flashes and bright lights, it is time to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist.
Halos and Glares:
As cataracts worsen, the lens of the eye hardens and becomes cloudier. Some cataract suffers mention the appearance of a glare or halo in their field of vision. The light that passes through the cataract is diffracted which causes a glare and ringlets around bright sources of light. During the day the halos and glares are less noticeable then that are in the evening.
Vision Changes:
During the earliest stages of cataracts, individuals may notice changes in vision. Regular eye exams are crucial for older adults. In fact, ophthalmologists often detect cataracts before individuals notice a difference in vision.
Cataract damage is not reversible however, there are some things you can do to slow down their progression. It is important to talk with your eye doctor first to determine if cataract surgery is needed before cataracts worsen. Some ways to increase the health of your eye include eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, wearing sunglasses, determine if your prescription medicine worsen the effects of cataracts, and treat dry eyes with daily eye drops.
Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs. As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses. More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.