Cataracts occur when proteins in the eye’s lens break down and clump together, gradually turning a clear window into a cloudy one. This condition is one of the leading causes of vision loss in the United States, affecting more than 20 million people over the age of 40.
Akhilesh Singh, MD, helps patients restore their eyesight and regain their independence through advanced cataract surgery at Downtown Ophthalmology. Dr. Singh uses the Catalys® precision laser system, which offers greater safety and accuracy than traditional methods.
Since cataracts develop slowly, many people don’t realize how much their vision has deteriorated until they can no longer do the things they love. Recognizing these five signs can help you decide if it’s time to move forward with a permanent solution:
Cataracts block the light that passes through the lens, preventing a clear image from reaching the retina — the light-sensing tissue at the back of your eye. As a result, your brain is unable to form a sharp, high-definition image.
Patients often compare this foggy, blurred vision to looking through a dirty window or a thick film that persists despite blinking or using lubricating eye drops. You may also notice double vision in one eye as the clouded lens splits light into multiple paths.
Because cataracts reduce the amount of light that reaches the retina, your surroundings may appear dimmer than they actually are. If you find yourself needing much brighter lamps for reading, sewing, or other up-close activities that used to be effortless, see Dr. Singh.
When you’re behind the wheel at night, the lack of contrast can affect your ability to distinguish the road from the shoulder or spot a pedestrian in the shadows. As the condition progresses, evening activities become increasingly dangerous and exhausting, limiting your independence and enjoyment of life.
When bright light hits a cataract on your lens, it scatters in multiple directions rather than focusing sharply. Sunny days or strong indoor lighting can trigger a painful, overwhelming glare that leaves you squinting or shielding your eyes.
You may also notice distracting “halos” or rings of light around streetlights and oncoming headlights that make driving at night more difficult.
Do your white clothes look dingy or yellow and once-vibrant colors seem faded? It might not be a laundry problem, but an early sign of cataracts. As the proteins in your lens break down, they create a yellow or brown tint that mutes the vibrancy of everything you see.
That yellowing effect can cancel out cooler wavelengths of light, contributing to a loss of contrast and making it nearly impossible to differentiate between dark colors like navy blue, purple, and black. In many cases, it happens so gradually that patients don’t realize how much color they’ve lost until after they undergo cataract surgery.
A developing cataract changes the shape and thickness of the lens, shifting the focal point of your eye. Even with frequent updates to your eyewear prescription, you may find that your vision always ends up blurry again after a few months.
Some people with cataracts experience a phenomenon known as “second sight,” wherein the changing shape of the lens temporarily improves your vision, making it easier for you to see things close up if you are farsighted or allowing you to read without glasses. While this may feel like a sudden recovery, it is actually a temporary side effect of the cataract’s progression that eventually gives way to more significant vision loss.
If you’re dealing with any of these types of vision changes, Dr. Singh can help you see clearly again. Call or message our office in the Forest Hills section of New York City, New York, today for a consultation.
