Cataracts cause cloudy or fuzzy vision. Cataract sufferers may also experience sensitivity to glare. The cloudy areas in the lens of eyes that are caused by cataracts produce vision changes. Cataracts typically affect people 60 and older, but younger people can also get it.
Some cases of cataracts require surgery on the lenses of the eyes. Cataracts give sufferers the feeling they’re looking at the world through a dirty window. Advanced cataracts may have the appearance of a whitish or gray film over the eyes.
Cataract symptoms may include:
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Sensitivity to light
- Seeing lights with “halos”
- Double vision
- Dimmer perception of colors
The vision of people with cataracts is sometimes improved with prescription eyeglasses. Doctors may advise cataract surgery for patients who increasingly begin to see halos around bright lights. Proceeding surgery, doctors usually conduct tests to measure the size and shape of patients’ eyes and instruct patients to refrain from eating 12 hours prior to treatment. Patients are usually awake but sedated during surgery, which takes about an hour. A small surgical tool is used to suction out the cataract. A new lens is then put in the eye. Lenses are made of plastic, silicone, or acrylic. Side effects are rare. Full recovery usually takes about 8 weeks. About 90% of patients say they see better after cataract surgery.
Tips adapted from WebMD(IV)