Are you finding it harder to read the newspaper or see street signs clearly? Maybe you’ve noticed that driving at night feels more difficult than it used to. These everyday frustrations could be signs of cataracts, one of the most common age-related vision conditions.
While cataracts remain the leading cause of preventable blindness, the good news is that they’re highly treatable with modern surgery. Early detection allows for better treatment planning and can help you maintain your quality of life. Keep reading to learn about the seven key cataract symptoms your Omaha eye doctor watches for and what you can do about them.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts develop when the proteins that make up your eye’s natural lens begin to break down and clump together. Your lens sits behind your iris and pupil, focusing light onto your retina so you can see clearly. When proteins form cloudy patches on the lens, they block and scatter light, making your vision appear foggy or blurred.
This process typically happens gradually over time, often starting around age 40 but not causing noticeable symptoms until age 60 or later. Some people develop cataracts earlier due to factors like diabetes, eye injuries, or prolonged sun exposure.
The team at The Omaha and Lincoln Eye and Laser Institute has helped thousands of patients recognize and treat cataracts using advanced diagnostic technology and surgical techniques.
The 7 Signs of Cataracts Your Eye Doctor Watches For
Recognizing the symptoms of cataracts early gives you the best chance for timely treatment and restored vision. Here are the seven most common signs your Omaha eye doctor wants you to know about.
1. Blurry or Cloudy Vision
The most common symptom of cataracts is blurred, cloudy, or foggy vision. Many patients describe it as looking through a dirty or frosted window.
This happens because the cloudy patches on your lens prevent light from passing through clearly. You might notice this blurriness affects your ability to read, recognize faces, or see details at any distance.
2. Increased Sensitivity to Light and Glare
If bright sunlight makes you squint more than usual or indoor lighting seems uncomfortably harsh, cataracts could be the cause. The cloudy areas on your lens scatter incoming light instead of focusing it properly, creating uncomfortable glare.
You might find yourself avoiding bright environments or needing sunglasses even on moderately sunny days. This light sensitivity can make routine activities, such as shopping or being outdoors, less enjoyable.
3. Difficulty Seeing at Night
Cataracts often make nighttime vision particularly challenging. You may struggle to see clearly when driving after dark because cataracts reduce the amount of light reaching your retina.
Oncoming headlights can create intense glare that temporarily blinds you, making night driving feel unsafe. Many patients with cataracts avoid evening activities or ask others to drive them at night.
4. Seeing Halos Around Lights
Halos are bright circles or rings that appear around light sources like street lamps, car headlights, or indoor lighting. This phenomenon occurs when light diffracts through the irregular, cloudy areas of your cataract-affected lens.
Halos can be particularly noticeable at night and may overlap with glare sensitivity. If you’re seeing these visual disturbances regularly, it’s worth scheduling an eye exam.
5. Fading or Yellowing of Colors
Cataracts can change how you perceive colors, making them appear faded, dull, or yellowed. The clouding of your lens acts like a filter, reducing color vibrancy and clarity.
You might notice that whites look yellowish or that distinguishing between similar colors (like navy blue and black) becomes harder. This symptom develops so gradually that many people don’t realize how much their color vision has changed until after cataract surgery restores it.
6. Frequent Prescription Changes
Finding that you need new glasses or contact lenses more often than usual can signal the development of cataracts. As the proteins in your lens continue to break down, your vision prescription changes more rapidly.
You might get new glasses only to find they don’t help as much as expected or that you need another update within months. While some prescription changes are normal with age, frequent adjustments warrant a comprehensive eye exam.
7. Double Vision in One Eye
Some cataracts cause double vision (diplopia) in a single eye, meaning you see two overlapping images. Monocular double vision from cataracts happens when light splits as it passes through irregular areas of your clouded lens. This symptom is less common but can cause significant vision problems if you experience it.
When to See Your Omaha Eye Doctor
If you’re experiencing any of these cataract symptoms, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor. Early-stage cataracts may not require immediate surgery, particularly if your symptoms are mild and don’t interfere with daily activities.
When cataracts begin interfering with activities such as reading, driving, or working, surgery is recommended. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures, with excellent outcomes for the vast majority of patients. The surgery typically takes just 20 to 30 minutes and is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day.
During surgery, your surgeon removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The Omaha and Lincoln Eye and Laser Institute offers the latest IOL technology, including advanced multifocal lenses and the Light Adjustable Lens.
These premium options can reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses after surgery. Most patients notice improved vision within 24 hours and achieve full recovery within four to eight weeks.
After surgery, your new IOL cannot develop cataracts, meaning you’ll never have to worry about losing your vision to this condition again.
Schedule Your Cataract Screening Today
Recognizing the signs of cataracts early puts you in control of your eye health and visual future. While cataracts are a common part of aging, they don’t have to limit your independence or quality of life. Modern cataract surgery offers safe, effective treatment that can restore clear vision and may even give you better sight than you’ve had in years.
If you’re experiencing blurry vision, glare, difficulty with night driving, or any other cataract symptoms, take the next step toward clearer vision. Schedule a comprehensive cataract screening at The Omaha and Lincoln Eye and Laser Institute in Omaha and Lincoln, NE, today!
