June is Cataract Awareness Month, making it an important time to learn about one of the most common causes of vision changes in adults. Cataract Awareness Month: Signs Your Vision May Be Changing explains what cataracts are, which symptoms deserve attention, and how regular eye exams can help protect your sight. At Thomas Eye Care, we want patients to understand that gradually worsening vision should not simply be accepted as an unavoidable part of getting older.
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a cloudy area that develops in the normally clear lens of the eye. Your eye’s lens helps focus light so you can see clearly. As a cataract develops, the lens becomes increasingly cloudy, making it feel as though you are looking through a foggy or dirty window.
Cataracts generally develop slowly and may not cause noticeable problems at first. Over time, however, they can interfere with reading, driving, recognizing faces, or completing other everyday activities. The National Eye Institute explains that cataracts are common as people age, although they can also develop because of an eye injury, certain medical conditions, medications, or previous eye surgery.
Common Signs of Cataracts
Because cataract symptoms often appear gradually, many people adjust to the changes without realizing how much their vision has declined. Possible warning signs include:
- Cloudy, blurry, or hazy vision
- Colors that appear faded or yellowed
- Increased sensitivity to bright lights
- Glare or halos around headlights and lamps
- Difficulty seeing while driving at night
- Frequent changes to an eyeglass prescription
- Double vision in one eye
- Needing brighter lighting to read
These symptoms do not automatically mean that you have a cataract. Other eye conditions can cause similar vision changes, which is why a comprehensive eye exam is important.
Who Is at Risk?
Age is the most common cataract risk factor, but it is not the only one. According to the National Eye Institute’s guide to cataract causes, additional risk factors may include diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, long-term steroid use, previous eye injuries, and a family history of cataracts.
Long-term exposure to sunlight without proper eye protection may also contribute to cataract development. Wearing sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays is therefore an important habit throughout the year—not only during summer.
Can Cataracts Be Treated?
During the early stages, an updated eyeglass prescription, brighter lighting, magnifying lenses, or anti-glare sunglasses may make everyday activities easier. As the cataract progresses, these adjustments may become less effective.
Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract, but a cataract does not always need to be removed immediately. The National Eye Institute’s cataract surgery resource notes that surgery is generally considered when the cataract begins interfering with daily activities. During the procedure, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens.
Your eye care provider can monitor your vision, discuss how your symptoms affect your lifestyle, and help determine when a referral for a surgical consultation may be appropriate.
Do Not Wait for Your Vision to Become Severe
Regular comprehensive eye exams are one of the best ways to identify cataracts and other eye conditions early. Even when your vision seems unchanged, an exam allows your eye doctor to evaluate the health of your eyes and document changes over time.
This June, observe Cataract Awareness Month: Signs Your Vision May Be Changing by paying attention to glare, cloudy vision, nighttime driving difficulties, and other subtle symptoms. Early evaluation can help you understand what is causing the change and what options may be available.
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Thomas Eye Care in Owasso today. Our team can evaluate your eye health, update your prescription, and help you take the next step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.
