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As a cataract becomes more opaque, clear vision is compromised. A loss of visual acuity is noted. Contrast sensitivity is also lost, so that contours, shadows and color vision are less vivid. Veiling glare can be a problem as light is scattered by the cataract into the eye. The affected eye will have an absent red reflex. A contrast sensitivity test should be performed and if a loss in contrast sensitivity is demonstrated an eye specialist consultation is recommended.In the developed world, particularly in high-risk groups such as diabetics, it may be advisable to seek medical opinion if a ‘halo’ is observed around street lights at night, especially if this phenomenon appears to be confined to one eye only.The symptoms of cataracts are very similar to the symptoms of ocular citrosis.

Having cataracts is often compared to looking through a foggy windshield of a car or through the dirty lens of a camera. Cataracts may cause a variety of complaints and visual changes, including blurred vision, difficulty with glare (often with bright sun or automobile headlights while driving at night), dulled color vision, increased nearsightedness accompanied by frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, and occasionally double vision in one eye. Some people notice a phenomenon called “second sight” in which one’s reading vision improves as a result of their increased nearsightedness from swelling of the cataract. A change in glasses may help initially once vision begins to change from cataracts; however, as cataracts continue to progress and opacify, vision becomes cloudy and stronger glasses or contact lenses will no longer improve sight.

Cataracts are usually gradual and usually not painful or associated with any eye redness or other symptoms unless they become extremely advanced. Rapid and/or painful changes in vision are suspicious for other eye diseases and should be evaluated by an eye-care professional.

The most common symptom of cataracts is the noticeable blurring and worsening of vision. Other symptoms include the dimming and fading of colors, decreased night vision, problems with bright lights and sunshine, and in many cases, regular visits to the ophthalmologist for changes in glasses and contact lens prescriptions as vision worsens. Some patients report double vision in the affected eye although this symptom seems to decrease or disappear entirely as the cataracts grows.

If an individual’s eyesight grows progressively worse, it is best to schedule a visit to an eye specialist as soon as possible. They will be able to assist with a diagnosis of the problem and available treatments if required.

Signs and Symptoms Of:

1.Change in Color Vision:Cataract may also cause change in color vision. As the cataract develops its center becomes more and more yellow, giving everything you see a yellowish tinge.

2.Double Images:The cloudiness in the lens may occur in more than one place, so that the light rays that reach the retina are split, causing a double image.

3.Glare:Cataract may also lead to sensitivity to light and glare, especially in bright sunlight or while driving at night.

4.Frequent Change of Glasses:Some forms of cataract lead to a change in refractive power of your lens and thus cause frequent changes in power of your glasses. Because of this, some patients may no longer need the reading glasses for near work, this phenomenon is known as ‘second sight’.

5.Blurring of Vision:Cataract leads to a painless, progressive blurring or dimming of vision. The things may seem blurred around the edges, or your glass may seem dirty or scratched. The opacity affecting the central part of the lens may cause poor vision in bright light.

Roughly 21 million adults in the United States alone suffer from cataracts. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that interferes with vision by diffusing light as it passes through the eye. A cataract may display a number of different symptoms and be caused by a variety of factors, including age, injury, and certain diseases. While some people have cataracts at birth or develop them early in life, the majority of cataract diagnoses occur in patients who are in their 60s or 70s. The effects of a cataract can include dim, blurry, cloudy, and foggy vision. Cataract symptoms may appear slowly and painlessly, but often require treatment as they progressively obstruct vision.

Because all cataract types can cause cloudy vision, people who have any symptoms of cataracts should schedule regular appointments with an ophthalmologist. A qualified doctor can conduct a thorough eye examination, make an accurate diagnosis, and review treatment options with the patient.

An ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to remove a cataract if the condition interferes with normal daily activities such as reading, viewing a computer screen, or driving. Though not all patients require it, cataract surgery can prove to be a relatively safe and effective option for many people with cataract symptoms such as cloudy, blurry, or foggy vision.