Early Signs of Cataracts to Look For:

Cataracts is the leading cause of vision impairment, especially in seniors. 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, cataracts affect approximately 25 million Americans age 40 and older. And by age 75, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts.

In older adults, the eye’s crystalline lens yellows and begins to harden, resulting in blurry vision, dull color perception, and difficulty seeing at night. 

Cataracts worsen over time, so it’s important to understand the stages of cataract progression in order to treat symptoms early and slow or even stop the progression of cataracts.

An ophthalmologist can provide you with an accurate cataract diagnosis and help you plan an appropriate course of treatment.

Early Cataract Warning Signs:

Cataracts range in terms of severity, and the correct treatment depends on the degree of progression and type of cataracts you have. Early cataract detection signs include:

• Cloudy Vision. One of the most obvious signs of early-stage cataracts is the appearance of noticeable fuzzy spots in your field of vision. 

These spots typically start out as fairly small aberrations, but over time they will worsen, making daily activities harder than they were before. 

If you experience sudden and persistent cloudy vision, see an eye doctor as soon as possible before your vision gets any worse.

• Difficulty Seeing at Night. Patients with early-stage cataracts also report gradual worsening of nighttime vision. 

Cataracts often causes sufferer’s vision to darken or dim, and may also lead to slight tinges of brown or yellow. 

These early changes may not be noticeable during the day when there’s enough light to compensate for dimming vision, but they can be immediately noticeable at night.

• Increased Light Sensitivity. For people with emerging cataracts issues, discomfort with bright lights will become increasingly noticeable and problematic. 

Consult your eye doctor if bright lights cause you to squint or close your eyes, or if you develop sudden headaches from flashes of bright light.

• Appearance of Halos and Glare. As the eye lens hardens and becomes cloudy, cataracts sufferers may notice the appearance of halos and glare in their field of vision. 

Light passing through cataracts is diffracted, causing glare and ringlets around bright sources of light. These may be difficult to notice during the day, but can be immediately noticeable at night.

• Eye Examination Results. In the earliest stages of cataracts, a person may have difficulty noticing changes to their vision. 

That’s why regular eye examinations are strongly recommended for older adults. Ophthalmologists can detect the presence of cataracts before sufferers report any noticeable vision problems.

The doctors at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center are recognized leaders in providing state-of-the-art medical and surgical eye care in Arizona for more than 35 years. 

Doctors at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center use some of the most advanced technologies and techniques to treat patients at all stages of life. 

Comprehensive eye health services are provided by nationally recognized specialists in multiple fields of ophthalmology, including cataract surgery, vision correction, cornea, retina, glaucoma and oculoplastics. 

Patients can expect compassionate and convenient care from the doctors of any of the 15 Arizona Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center clinics. 

For more information, please visit goodeyes.com.