Symptoms of Cataract:

The most commonly associated symptom with an advanced cataract is the impact it has on the individual’s vision. Many patients have compared cataracts to having a smudge on the end of a camera lens in which they cannot remove. That smudge impedes their ability to see and only becomes worse over time.

Other symptoms include blurred vision, inability to see at night while driving, inability to see when there are situations that have a high glare (i.e. headlights, bright sunny days), and diminished sharpness of color.

As the cataract progresses, the patient may also complain that their vision is constantly and consistently getting worse. These patients may present to the physician with the complaint that their current glasses prescription is no longer strong enough. Some patients experience symptoms of double vision, sensitivity to light, dim vision, need for increased light during reading, seeing halos around bright lights (i.e. headlights of a car), and/or yellowing of colors.

Risk Factors For Developing Cataracts:

Aging is a natural process that affects the lens of the eye. This aging process is slow and creates the progressive development of cataracts.

Aging is a natural process that affects the lens of the eye. This aging process is slow and creates the progressive development of cataracts.

Other risk factors include diabetes, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, traumatic eye injury, eye inflammation, eye surgery, long-term steroid use, and increased consumption of alcohol. These factors plus many more can place an individual at an increased risk of developing cataracts.