What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts? Here Are 7 Surprising Ones

Blurred vision is one of the earliest symptoms of cataracts to appear. Patients often feel as if they are looking through a hazy, dirty, foggy window. Objects lose their sharpness, which interferes with daily activities. Among the symptoms of cataracts, this is one of the most frequently occurring complaints; however, it does not occur only in this condition. In such cases, however, blurred vision is characterized by showing no variation with time of day and the haziness does not change with blinking.

2. Light Sensitivity and Glare

Around light sources, such as the headlights of oncoming cars, disturbing halos and blinding glare may appear. Reflective surfaces reflect light with dazzling intensity, making it unpleasant to spend time by a lake or in snowy landscapes, for example. Among the symptoms of cataracts, this is not a typical symptom exclusive to this condition; many other ophthalmological conditions can cause similar effects. However, an ophthalmologist experienced in the subject can clarify the details of the symptoms and determine whether this condition or possibly something else is causing the complaints.

3. Fading of Colors

Among the symptoms of cataracts, one of the most frustrating complaints for the patient is that vivid colors become duller and more faded. Every color shade becomes warmer, more yellowish, and the environment becomes matte. Many patients see even the color white with a yellowish tint. Among the symptoms of cataracts, this is one that appears very early and is present in almost every case.

4. Worse Night Vision

Among the symptoms of cataracts, one symptom that may quickly bring the patient to a doctor is that vision deteriorates significantly in dim light or darkness. Reading becomes more difficult, and text requires more or stronger lighting. Night driving is tiring and particularly risky especially when accompanied by the light scattering complaints described earlier.

5. Monocular Double Vision or Ghost Images

Among the symptoms of cataracts is double vision, which is not true double vision, but in this case is characterized by not disappearing even when one eye is closed. Objects then appear doubled, become ghost-like, their edges blur, making it more difficult to distinguish them from their surroundings. It should not be confused with true double vision of other origins, which is only present when both eyes are kept open.

6. Vision Deterioration and Frequent Eyeglass Changes

As the lens becomes clouded, the refractive power of the eye may also change continuously, resulting in the eyeglass prescription becoming different after a very short time. Among the symptoms of cataracts, this is one of the most misleading, as the patient may also think that an incorrect prescription was given, when in fact the explanation is the change in the refractive power of their own lens.

When the clouding of the lens reaches such a degree that it only partially allows light to reach the retina, then vision deterioration appears. Frequent eyeglass changes can affect both distance and near prescriptions, separately or simultaneously. However, vision deterioration typically occurs for distance during the majority of the disease’s natural course, and only in very advanced cases does it also reduce reading ability (but even then, much stronger lighting is required earlier).

7. Deterioration of Depth Perception and Contrast

Deterioration of depth perception is one of the symptoms of cataracts that can cause limitations in many areas of life. Depth perception or depth sensing occurs when the two eyes perceive objects from different angles, and then the brain combines the two images to create a three-dimensional view. This process suffers significant impairment as a result of lens clouding. Consequently, sports and recreational activities, all of which require depth perception, become difficult or impossible.

Blunting of contours and decreased contrast are similarly almost always present among the symptoms of cataracts. As a result, depth perception deteriorates further and detecting fine details also becomes difficult. Moving on stairs or in tight spaces, on uneven ground becomes difficult and hazardous. Driving ability deteriorates; judging distances and other participants in traffic can be challenging, which, in addition to the previously listed symptoms, completely rules out night driving in many cases.

+1 Sign. Graying of the Pupil Color

In advanced cataracts, the color of the pupil becomes grayish or pearly instead of black. This is not actually a symptom of cataracts but a sign that can be noticed by those living in the patient’s environment, or the patient may notice it themselves if only one eye is affected. At this point, barely any light enters the affected eye, and orientation may also be impaired; the patient may bump into objects or misstep on stairs.

Why Is It Important to Recognize the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Prolonged vision deterioration can negatively affect daily activities or the performance of work tasks. With cataracts, the patient’s quality of life also deteriorates: they cannot drive, have difficulty reading, are bothered by light, are uncertain in sports, avoid detailed work, navigate less well than before, and see the environment and colors as lifeless. Because the patient cannot perform tasks and activities in the previously accustomed manner, they begin to avoid those that previously brought joy, and thus may become dejected and depressed. Therefore, cataract surgery should be considered not only as the procedure that restores vision but also as one that can result in significant improvement in quality of life.

Early recognition of cataracts also affects the outcome of treatment. Timely cataract surgery is more likely to be complication-free, and there are more intraocular lenses to choose from, such as the innovative extended depth of focus lens (EDOF lens). A counterexample is the case of advanced cataracts, when the condition of the fundus cannot be assessed, so implanting a multifocal lens is risky at that point, since there are retinal diseases for which this is contraindicated, but since these cannot be ruled out, we prefer not to implant this type.

How Can We Get Rid of Cataracts?

Cataracts can only be treated surgically. During modern cataract surgery, we painlessly remove the majority of the clouded lens under topical anesthesia. We have thereby eliminated the obstacle in the path of light; however, we have also removed a significant portion of the eye’s refractive power, which we will replace with an intraocular lens. To ensure the intraocular lens is positioned as naturally as possible, we preserve the outer, thin capsule of the lens and place the personalized intraocular lens into it.

We design the intraocular lens to also incorporate any previously existing eyeglass prescriptions, for distance or other distances as well, depending on the lens type. The surgery takes only approximately 15 minutes, and recovery is extremely rapid, so you can return to your daily activities shortly and may even say goodbye to eyeglasses. The intraocular lenses to be implanted are made of flexible and biocompatible material, which the eye accepts without reaction, and replacement is only necessary in very exceptional cases.

What Should We Do If We Experience the Above Symptoms?

If you notice any of the above symptoms of cataracts, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist without delay. With a simple ophthalmological examination, cataracts can be diagnosed, and with a supplementary OCT examination, many other fundus diseases causing vision deterioration can be safely ruled out. After establishing an accurate diagnosis, the surgery date can be conveniently planned.