Do You Know These Cataract Warning Signs?

Cataracts will affect everyone, but they come on slowly over time. This makes it difficult to tell that they are developing.

Cataracts display many symptoms, making it simple for a professional to diagnose them. That is why it’s important to schedule regular eye appointments with Vision Care of Maine in Bangor.

There are signs of cataracts you can keep an eye out for on your own. Keep reading for some of the more common symptoms that you may have a cataract!

Blurred Vision

Cloudy and blurry vision is among the most recognizable of cataract symptoms. Cataracts form in the lens of the eye as clumps of protein grow together.

These clumps block out light, and because that light is not reaching the retina, loss of vision occurs. You can have cataracts for a long time and not realize it due to the fact that they grow so slowly.

It is much easier to tell something is wrong when there is low light, such as driving a car at night. Since cataracts block out light, if there is not much available then it will be more difficult to see.

If you notice any changes in your vision, you should always set up an appointment with your eye doctor.

Sensitivity to Light

When you have cataracts, you may notice your eyes hurting from bright lights. This increased light sensitivity can cause discomfort to harsh glare that is painful.

This happens because light can sometimes refract off of the cataract inside the eye. This causes the light to scatter and bounce around your eye.

Color Changes

One of the most interesting ways cataracts affects vision is causing colors to become faded. You may also notice a yellow and brown tint to your vision developing.

This is because cataracts themselves are that color. The little light that does manage to get through is often affected by them.

Halos

You may notice visual aberrations known as “halos” around fixed points of light. This is particularly noticeable around car headlights at night.

These appear as rings around the light source and can be quite distracting. If you notice it is becoming difficult to drive, don’t risk your life or the lives of others.

Come in for a cataract screening as soon as you can! If you feel like it’s unsafe to drive, find a friend or family member who can drive you where you need to go.

You will discuss other symptoms and warning signs of cataracts during your evaluation. You will also learn about cataract surgery: how it’s done, what you need to do to prepare for it, and what recovery is like.

Feel free to prepare questions for your cataract screening! There’s a lot to learn about the subject and it can be pretty overwhelming. You don’t have to go through it alone!

Ready to find out if you have cataracts? Schedule a cataract screening at Vision Care of Maine in Bangor, ME today! Isn’t it time to get back to seeing the world around you again?