The Top 7 Signs You Might Need Cataract Surgery
If you’ve noticed your vision isn’t quite what it used to be, you’re not alone. Cataracts are one of the most common age-related vision problems, affecting millions of people worldwide. While cataracts develop gradually, knowing the warning signs can help you determine when it’s time to seek professional care and consider surgical intervention.
Keep reading to learn the top seven signs that you might need cataract surgery!
Sign #1: Blurry or Cloudy Vision That Doesn’t Improve with Glasses
One of the most telltale signs that you might need cataract surgery is persistent blurry or cloudy vision that doesn’t improve even when you update your glasses prescription. You might describe your vision as looking through a foggy window or a piece of wax paper.
In the early stages of cataract development, you may find that a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses temporarily improves your vision. However, as the cataract progresses, you’ll likely notice that even new prescriptions don’t provide the same clarity over time. This happens because the cloudiness is within the lens itself, not an issue with how your eye focuses light.
Many patients describe this progressive blurring as frustrating because it affects their ability to perform everyday tasks. Reading becomes more difficult, and overall vision is just not as clear.
Sign #2: Increased Sensitivity to Light and Glare
Do oncoming headlights while driving at night seem blindingly bright? Increased sensitivity to light and glare is another common sign that cataracts may be affecting your vision and that surgery might be necessary.
As cataracts develop, light entering your eye becomes scattered rather than properly focused. This scattering effect can make bright lights feel overwhelming and create halos or starbursts around light sources. You might notice this particularly when driving at night, when streetlights and car headlights seem to have a glowing ring around them.
This light sensitivity occurs because the clouded lens doesn’t allow light to pass through cleanly. Instead of the light rays traveling in an organized manner to create a clear image on your retina, they scatter in multiple directions, creating glare and making it difficult for your eyes to adjust to different lighting conditions.
If you’re experiencing significant light sensitivity that’s interfering with your daily activities or making you feel unsafe while driving, it’s time to discuss cataract surgery with your eye care provider.
Sign #3: Difficulty Seeing at Night or in Low Light Conditions
Many people with developing cataracts experience significant difficulty seeing at night or in low-light conditions, a symptom known as decreased night vision.
This problem manifests in various ways. You might find it challenging to navigate your home in the evening without turning on extra lights. Reading in bed with just a bedside lamp might become nearly impossible.
The decreased night vision associated with cataracts occurs for a couple of reasons. First, cataracts reduce the amount of light that reaches your retina, which is particularly problematic in low-light situations when your eyes are already working harder to see. Second, the scattering of light caused by the clouded lens makes it more difficult for your eyes to distinguish between objects and their backgrounds in dim lighting.
Many patients report that their diminished night vision is one of the most life-altering symptoms of cataracts. It can severely impact your independence, making you hesitant to drive after sunset or limiting your ability to move safely around your own home in the evening.
If poor night vision is affecting your quality of life and making you feel less confident or independent, this is a strong indication that it may be time to consider cataract surgery. After the procedure, many patients are amazed at how much brighter and clearer their vision becomes, even in low-light conditions.
Sign #4: Colors Appear Faded or Yellowed
When was the last time you noticed how vibrant colors truly are? One of the more subtle signs of cataracts is the gradual fading or yellowing of colors.
Because this change happens so slowly, many people don’t realize how much their color perception has deteriorated until after cataract surgery, when they’re amazed by how bright and vivid colors appear again.
As cataracts develop, particularly nuclear cataracts that form in the center of the lens, the lens itself may take on a yellowish or brownish tint. This discoloration acts like a filter, changing how you perceive colors. Whites may appear more cream or yellow, and the distinction between similar colors becomes more difficult.
You might notice that you’re having trouble coordinating your clothing. If you suspect that your color perception has diminished, or if family members comment that you seem to be having trouble with colors, it’s worth discussing with your eye care provider whether cataracts might be the cause.
Sign #5: Double Vision in One Eye
While double vision can be caused by various conditions, experiencing double vision in a single eye (monocular diplopia) is often associated with cataracts. This is different from the double vision that occurs when your eyes don’t work together properly (binocular diplopia), which typically resolves when you close one eye.
With cataract-related double vision, you’ll notice the doubling effect even when you have just one eye open. You might see two images of the same object, with one image appearing as a “ghost” slightly offset from the main image. This happens because the irregular clouding of the lens causes light to split and create multiple focal points on your retina.
If you’re experiencing double vision in one eye, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive eye examination. While cataracts are a common cause, your eye care provider will want to rule out other potential issues. If cataracts are confirmed as the cause, surgery can eliminate this disturbing symptom by replacing the clouded lens with a clear artificial one.
Sign #6: Frequent Changes in Your Eyeglass or Contact Lens Prescription
Frequent changes in your eyeglass or contact lens prescription can be a significant indicator that cataracts are developing and progressing. In the early and middle stages of cataract formation, the changing shape and density of the lens can alter how your eye focuses light. This can cause your prescription to fluctuate, sometimes quite dramatically. If you find that you need new glasses every year or even more frequently, and each new prescription only provides clear vision for a short time before becoming inadequate again, cataracts may be the culprit.
Sign #7: Your Vision Problems Are Interfering with Daily Activities
One of the most important signs that you might need cataract surgery isn’t a specific symptom but rather the overall impact on your quality of life. When your vision problems begin to interfere with your ability to perform daily activities safely and enjoyably, it’s time to seriously consider surgical intervention.
Different people have different thresholds for when vision problems become unacceptable. For someone who loves to read, the inability to enjoy books or newspapers might be the tipping point. For others, it might be when they can no longer drive safely, particularly at night. Some people decide to pursue surgery when they realize they’re missing out on precious moments with grandchildren because they can’t see their faces clearly.
Consider whether your vision is affecting your independence and lifestyle. Are you avoiding activities you once enjoyed? Have you stopped driving in certain situations because you don’t feel safe? Do you rely on others to help you with tasks that you used to do independently? Are you experiencing difficulty at work due to vision problems?
The decision to have cataract surgery should be based on how much your vision is impacting your life, not just on a specific level of visual acuity measured during an eye exam.
How Do I Know When It Is Time For Cataract Surgery?
You don’t need to wait until your vision is severely impaired to consider surgery. In fact, modern cataract surgery is typically performed before vision loss becomes extreme because the procedure is easier and outcomes are better when the cataract hasn’t become too dense.
At Lalin Eye, Dr. Lalin works with each patient individually to understand their unique visual needs and lifestyle requirements.
If you’re experiencing one or more of the signs described above, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an experienced eye care professional at Lalin Eye Cataract & Retina in Morristown, NJ.