Learn how to recognize the sign and symptoms of cataracts and discover what causes cataracts to develop, from aging and genetics to lifestyle factors and injuries.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Symptoms and Causes
Recognizing the sign and symptoms of cataracts is the first step in protecting your vision. The most common indicator is blurred or dim vision that cannot be fully corrected with a new glasses prescription. Many patients report that they feel like they are looking through a dirty piece of glass or a thin veil of silk.
Another hallmark sign is increased sensitivity to light and glare. You might find that streetlights or car headlights look overwhelmingly bright at night or appear to have “halos” or starbursts around them. As the condition progresses, you may also notice that colors look dull, faded, or have a distinct yellowish or brownish tint.
Understanding what causes cataracts helps in identifying individual risk levels. The primary cause is the natural aging process, which alters the tissue that makes up the eye’s lens. Over time, the proteins in the lens break down and clump together. However, there are other significant triggers.
Long term use of certain medications, particularly steroids, can accelerate lens clouding. Metabolic disorders like diabetes are also major contributors, as high blood sugar can change the chemical balance within the lens. Additionally, previous eye surgeries, chronic inflammation, or high levels of radiation exposure can lead to early onset.
Chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a well documented cause of lens damage. UV rays can generate free radicals that damage the proteins and fibers within the crystalline lens. This is why eye doctors emphasize the importance of wearing sunglasses that offer one hundred percent UV protection.
People who work outdoors or live in high altitude areas often develop lens opacity earlier in life. Protecting the eyes from the sun is one of the most effective ways to delay the progression of this condition.
Trauma to the eye can result in a traumatic cataract. This can happen immediately after an injury, such as a blunt blow to the eye, a puncture wound, or a chemical burn. In some cases, the cataract may not appear until years after the trauma occurred. The physical impact disrupts the delicate arrangement of the lens fibers, causing them to lose their transparency. If you have a history of eye injury, regular checkups are vital even if your vision currently feels normal.
Genetics play a significant role in eye health. If your parents or siblings developed vision issues early in life, you may be at a higher risk. Some children are even born with the condition, known as congenital cataracts, which can be caused by genetic syndromes or infections during pregnancy. While you cannot change your DNA, knowing your family history allows your eye care provider to monitor your lens health more closely and intervene at the most appropriate time.
Lifestyle choices have a direct impact on the clarity of your lens. Smoking is a major risk factor, as it increases the amount of oxidative stress in the body and reduces the supply of antioxidants to the eye. Research shows that smokers are much more likely to develop nuclear cataracts than non smokers. Excessive alcohol consumption has also been linked to an increased risk. Maintaining a healthy body weight and managing blood pressure are other important lifestyle measures that support long term vision.
The eye lens requires specific nutrients to maintain its transparency and fight oxidative damage. A diet low in antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and E, as well as carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin, can make the lens more vulnerable to clouding. These nutrients help neutralize the damage caused by sunlight and metabolic processes. Incorporating leafy green vegetables, colorful fruits, and healthy fats into your diet is a key strategy for supporting the cellular structure of the eye.
Certain health issues elsewhere in the body can manifest as eye problems. High blood pressure (hypertension) can affect the blood vessels that supply the eye, indirectly impacting the health of the lens. Obesity is another factor that increases the risk of metabolic changes that lead to opacity. Effectively managing these systemic conditions through a healthy lifestyle and medical guidance is essential for preserving your sight as you age.
One of the more subtle symptoms is a shift in how you see colors. Because the lens acts like a filter as it clouds, it often develops a yellow or brown hue. This can make blues and purples look gray or black. Many patients do not realize how much their color perception has changed until after they have treatment and are amazed at how bright and vibrant the world looks again. This symptom can make it difficult to distinguish between similar shades of clothing or to appreciate the true colors of a sunset.
While double vision (diplopia) is often related to eye alignment, a cataract can cause “monocular diplopia,” where you see two or more images of a single object out of just one eye. This happens because the cloudy areas in the lens scatter the light as it enters the eye, creating multiple ghost images on the retina. This can be particularly distracting when reading or looking at a television screen. If you notice ghosting that does not go away when you close one eye, it is a strong sign of an irregularity within the lens.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Cloudy or blurry vision, halos around lights, glare sensitivity, faded colors, and needing brighter light to read.
Older adults, people with diabetes, smokers, heavy drinkers, and those with high sun exposure without sunglasses.
Symptoms are the same, but women develop cataracts slightly more often and undergo surgery more frequently.
Smoking, excessive UV exposure, and poorly controlled blood sugar.
Yes. Family history increases risk, and congenital cataracts are usually genetic.
Can you cure uveitis? This is the ultimate treatment guide, exploring powerful medical options and essential steps for lasting relief. Uveitis is a serious eye
Uveitis is a complex inflammatory condition affecting millions worldwide. It is the leading cause of vision loss among working-age populations. Timely and effective uveitis therapy is key.
Uveitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. It can lead to eye pain, redness, and vision
Anterior disease includes many medical conditions that affect important body parts. These need quick diagnosis and expert care to avoid serious problems. At Liv Hospital, we combine
Don’t ignore these 7 alarming uveitis symptoms. This essential guide explains eye inflammation and what you must do to protect your vision. We’re here to
How do you know if you have eye inflammation? This guide reveals 7 critical signs you can’t afford to ignore. Get the essential facts now.
Leave your phone number and our medical team will call you back to discuss your healthcare needs and answer all your questions.
Your Comparison List (you must select at least 2 packages)
