How Cataracts Affect Your Vision
Cataracts are a common eye condition, especially as we age. It can cloud your vision, gradually obscuring the world around you. As it worsens, you may experience increased glare and halos around lights, affecting daily activities like driving, reading, and cooking. These visual disturbances not only reduce your quality of life but also heighten the risk of accidents. Fortunately, early detection and treatment can effectively restore clear vision.
A cataract is the clouding of the lenses in the eye due to the clumping of proteins. When proteins in the eye clump together, they form a dense area, making it hard for the lens to send clear images to other parts of the eye. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in the elderly. Oxidative stress, injury and medical conditions like diabetes can also contribute to protein clumping. Cataracts develop gradually and can affect one or both eyes, but severity may differ for each eye. This condition hinders daily activities and can potentially lead to blindness.
Cataracts can affect different parts of the lens, leading to different symptoms and progression rates. Types of cataracts include:
- Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract: This is the most common type of age-related cataract. They form in the centre of the lens, causing the lens to gradually become yellow or brown. This colour change can lead to blurring of vision and difficulty in distinguishing colours.
- Cortical Cataract: This occurs on the outer edge of the lens, often affecting peripheral vision first. Cortical cataracts rapidly progress toward the centre of the lens, causing blurriness and problems seeing in different lighting. Diabetic people have a higher risk of developing this type of cataract.
- Posterior Subcapsular Cataract: This develops at the back of the eye’s lens, directly in the path of light entering the eye. This type of cataract tends to develop in younger adults, causing glare and blurred vision, especially at night or in bright light. Posterior subcapsular cataracts progress quicker than other types.
- Congenital Cataract: Some children are born with cataracts, while others develop them early in life. These early-onset cataracts may have genetic origins or be linked to complications during pregnancy.
Cataracts, a clouding of the eye's lens, often develop gradually and can cause a range of vision problems. Common symptoms include:
- Blurred or Clouded Vision: As the cataract grows, the normally clear lens of the eye becomes clouded, making objects appear blurry.
- Frequent Eyeglass Changes: People with cataracts often experience frequent changes in their vision which may lead to frequent adjustments in their eyeglass prescription.
- Light Sensitivity: Cataracts can cause increased sensitivity to light, making it uncomfortable to be exposed to sunlight, streetlights, or bright indoor lighting.
- Increased Glare and Halos: People with cataracts often experience increased glare and see halos around light, especially at night or in low-light conditions.
- Fading or Yellowing of Colours: Cataracts can make colours seem less vibrant or duller than before.
- Double Vision: In some cases, cataracts can cause double vision, making objects appear duplicated or overlapping.
- Trouble Seeing at Night: Cataracts often damage night vision, making it difficult to adjust to low-light conditions.
It is essential to seek a cataract surgeon if you notice significant changes in your vision that affect your daily life. While cataracts often develop gradually, it can be detrimental to delay treatment until vision is severely compromised. Early intervention and cataract surgery are key to preserving your vision and maintaining an optimal quality of life.
At ERS Cataract Centre, we have a team of experienced cataract surgeons who are dedicated to providing top-quality care. Our team is confident in its ability to provide a smooth and successful cataract treatment that will help patients in Singapore see the world clearly. Experience a brighter, sharper tomorrow. Contact our clinic at 6738 2000 (Camden) or 6734 8309 (Novena) to book an appointment.