Even if you’ve been wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses for years, once you reach your 40s, you’ll probably experience some new changes to your vision. By your mid-50s to 60s, you may notice it’s increasingly hard to see things up close or to drive at night – and even updating your prescription more regularly doesn’t get rid of the blur, double vision, glare or other symptoms.
One of the most common reasons for vision changes at this stage of life can be the development of a cataract in one or both of your eyes. Cataracts are cloudy areas that can form in the natural lenses of your eyes, which can distort your eyesight.
How do you know if you have cataracts? An experienced eye doctor can tell you for sure, but keep reading to learn more about the signs of cataracts to look for.
Most cataracts develop slowly, affecting only a small part of the eye’s lens. The lens helps ensure that light hits your retina, the part of your eye that processes visual information, in just the right way to form clear images. So you may not experience any vision changes early on, but over time you may start to experience more cataract symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of cataracts to watch for
While cataracts have other causes, they’re most often just part of aging. In fact, most people will develop a cataract before the age of 65. As we age, the proteins in the lens of the eye start to break down and clump together. As the clump grows it forms a cloudy area on your lens, or a cataract.
The symptoms of cataracts can vary depending on what kind you have (more on that later) and how quickly they progress. If you start to notice any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with an eye expert to get a diagnosis.
1. Glare and blurry, cloudy or dim vision are the most common signs of cataracts
When a cataract or another condition affects the lens, it can interfere with your vision. It’s like having dust on the lens of a camera. Depending on the location and extent of the cataracts, this may result in blurriness, cloudiness or dimness.
2. Cataracts can make it difficult to see at night or during certain activities
Since cataracts make it more difficult for light to reach the retinas, you may notice it’s more difficult to see at night or in dimly lit spaces. This can make driving at night more challenging, as well as daily activities like reading.
3. Double vision or “ghost images” can occur as a cataract develops
As a cataract (or cataracts) progresses, it continues to distort the way light enters the eye, which can lead to double vision or images with a faint “ghostly” or shadowed appearance – especially in one eye.
4. Cataracts can make your eyes more sensitive to bright lights and glare
In some cases, cataracts can make you more sensitive to bright lights or light that glares off of reflective surfaces. For example, you may see glare or “halos” around lights, particularly oncoming headlights when you drive.
5. Cataracts can change the way you see color
Some people notice changes in how they see color. For example, colors might appear tinted or faded.
6. More frequent optical prescription updates may be needed
It’s normal to expect a stronger prescription to help with vision difficulties. But if you’re in your mid-50s to 60s and need your optical prescription updated multiple times per year, it may be a sign that something more is going on.
7. Cataracts can temporarily improve near or distance vision
Certain types of cataracts can temporarily improve your near or distance vision (depending on whether you’re near- or farsighted). This is commonly referred to as “second sight,” and it can be strong enough for you to drive or read without glasses or contact lenses. But as the cataracts progress, this improvement eventually goes away.
What do cataracts look like?
It can be hard to visually tell the difference between an eye with a cataract and one without because the lens of your eye is behind your pupil. But if a cataract is very advanced, you may notice your pupil has a hazy or cloudy appearance when you look in the mirror. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you may see a grayish-white starburst in your pupil that looks like a snowflake. If you start to notice any changes to the appearance of your eye or pupil, make an appointment with an eye expert.
Some types of cataracts can affect your symptoms
There are several types of cataracts, which are often categorized by where and how they develop on the lens. This is why cataract symptoms can vary from person to person. It’s also possible to have more than one type of cataract.
- Nuclear cataracts affect the center of the lens. This is the type of cataract associated with temporary “second sight.” Nuclear cataracts can also cause your lenses to become increasingly tinted yellow or brown.
- Cortical cataracts affect the edges of the lens and are often wedge-shaped. As they develop, they extend toward the center of the lens, further interfering with vision.
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts affect the back of the lens. They often cause sensitivities to light and develop faster than other kinds of cataracts. For example, they can make it harder to see in bright light, and add glare or halos to lights in dark environments. Unlike nuclear cataracts, posterior subscapular cataracts can make it harder to read from the get-go.
- Congenital cataracts are cataracts that are present at birth or that develop during childhood. They’re caused by genetics or medical conditions.
Noticing possible signs of cataracts? Schedule an eye exam.
Cataracts are extremely common and very treatable. If you think you might be developing cataracts, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam. An eye specialist can get you a diagnosis and recommend next steps. If you do have a cataract, your eye specialist may talk to you about cataract surgery or suggest you see an eye surgeon for treatment.