Symptoms of cataracts

To understand the symptoms of cataracts it is important to first understand what a cataract.

Is called a cataract clouding the most part, but sometimes full of the lens. The lens is a small convex lens (like a magnifying glass) that is located behind the iris (which determines the color of the eye). Obviously this leads to clouding of the lens of visual effects as when looking through a frosted glass. Therefore, a surgery may be necessary.

Blurred vision

Or from far and near, the most common sign of cataracts (93.6% of cases). If the cataracts are very advanced and very annoying usually lead patients to consult forms beginners or advanced low and slow is more difficult to identify the patient.

Blurred vision may appear gradually, the classical case. But sometimes it can appear very quickly in a few weeks or months.

Some activities that were possible and easy become difficult or impossible. Cataracts generally involves both eyes but sometimes only one eye. It is more difficult to diagnose because the patient's poor vision in one eye is offset by the good vision in the other eye. The result is still an embarrassment and awkwardness in everyday life. Sometimes it by hiding one eye as the patient realizes abruptly. At home the patient can try to set a clock (or something similar) a few meters (always the same distance to compare) by hiding one eye then the other, and this every six months to check roughly the evolution of vision. If in doubt, he will see his ophthalmologist, who in any way must be regularly available from quarantine. The blurred vision may prevail for far vision, and less often in near vision. If the cataract is advanced, the vision of far and near are affected simultaneously. Sometimes the distance vision is deteriorating while the near vision improved slightly. This is often a sign of cataracts. If blurred vision appearing slowly in the elderly is most commonly caused by cataracts in France, other eye diseases may be the same symptom related macular degeneration (AMD or age, diabetes, glaucoma ...). Only the eye examination will make the difference even in some cases several diseases can coexist.

Sunglasses doesn't fit anyway

The patient feels that his glasses are no longer suitable in particular for distance vision and he felt discomfort in certain circumstances of daily life visual. From the sixties (and sometimes quarantine) should bring that feeling to consult their ophthalmologist usual.

Glare

They may be associated with a decreased tolerance to light, whether in high luminance day (clear sky, cloudy sky, snow, sun) or because of car headlights at night (one third of cases). This can be when driving at night.

Difficulties of the location in space

Some patients may find it difficult to locate in time the road signs.

Changing the color vision

A change in color vision is sometimes described by patients. It may be a reduction of all the colors or the gradual disappearance of blue.

Double vision

It occurs in one eye and is much rarer in practice. The patient perceives hiding one eye and then the other two images and collects offset.

All these signs are frequently associated with cataracts, but only the eye exam by an ophthalmologist can make accurate diagnosis and rule out other diagnosis may be more serious or difficult to treat (glaucoma, macular degeneration age-related ... ).