Symptoms & Diagnosis
Common symptoms of cataract include:
- A painless blurring of vision
- Light sensitivity
- Poor night vision
- Double vision in one eye
- Needing a brighter light to read
- Colors looking faded or yellow
The cloudiness and pattern of a cataract can vary. If the cloudiness is to the side of your field of vision, you may not be aware that you have a cataract.
> See what vision with a cataract looks like
There are many misconceptions about cataract. Cataract is not a film over the eye. A cataract does not spread from one eye to the other, nor is it a cause of irreversible blindness.
How quickly the cataract develops varies among individuals and may even be different between the two eyes. Most age-related cataracts progress gradually over a period of years. Other cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a short time. It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will develop in any given person.
By performing a thorough eye examination, your ophthalmologist can detect the presence of a cataract. A careful exam will also rule out any other conditions.
Problems with other parts of the eye (such as the cornea, retina or optic nerve) can be responsible for vision loss.
Treatments & More
For additional information about cataracts, including how they are treated, visit the cataracts section of EyeCare America, an EyeSmart Campaign partner.
