The ageing process takes its toll on nearly every part of your body, including your eyes. One of the most common age-related vision conditions is a clouding of the eye’s natural clear lens, known as cataracts.
Most cataracts develop very slowly; in the early stages of cataracts, you may not even notice any visual decline. But as cataracts grow, you will gradually start to detect an unpleasant difference in your vision.
Read on as Dr Joshua Hann, our experienced cataract surgeon at Eastside Eye Specialist Care, explains how cataracts affect your vision.
Blurry Vision
Cataracts develop when the proteins that make up the eye’s lens thicken and clump together, creating cloudy areas. The cloudiness prevents light entering the eye from clearly focusing on the retina. As a result, cataracts can make objects appear blurry or hazy.
Double Vision
If you develop cataracts, you may experience double vision. The cataracts can scatter light entering your eye, causing you to see two images of an object when there should only be one image.
Halos
Just as light scattering due to cataracts can cause double vision, it may also cause you to see halos around bright lights or objects.
Glare
Many cataracts cause glare or sensitivity to bright light. It may be difficult to see comfortably in the sunlight or when near bright illumination. While driving, oncoming headlights or streetlights may cause bothersome glare.
Dull or Faded Colors
Another visual effect of cataracts is that colors can start to look less vibrant and more faded or dull than usual. Cataracts cause the lens to start to yellow or brown, which can give your vision a brownish or yellowish hue.
Poor Night Vision
You may find it particularly difficult to see clearly in low light conditions, such as at night, due to cataracts. The combination of low light and glare/halos may interfere with driving at night.
Reclaiming Clear Vision With Cataract Surgery
Left untreated, cataracts can affect your independence and quality of life. The visual effects of cataracts can make it difficult to easily or safely perform your day-to-day activities. If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms of cataracts, Dr Hann can help.
Cataract surgery with Dr Hann is a quick and very safe operation. In most cases, cataract patients recover vision quickly after surgery and are able to resume normal daily activities within a few days of the operation. With modern artificial lenses, you can recapture the clear, crisp vision you need to live an independent, active life.
To learn more about cataract surgery, please schedule an appointment with Dr Hann today.