Are You Experiencing

Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in people 55 and older.  Everyone should be aware of the symptoms of cataracts, for the sake of their vision and for someone they know.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye and they tend to ‘grow’ gradually, so changes in vision may not be noticeable at first.

Symptoms of cataracts may include:

• “Cloudy” vision
• Sensitivity to bright sunlight
• “Halos” appear around headlights at night
• Colors appear faded

The most common cataracts are age-related.  By age 80, almost half the population either has a cataract or has had a cataract surgically removed.

Cataract surgery is the most common form of surgery in the United States, with more than 1.5 million procedures every year.  Surgery is not the first option for anyone with a cataract.

Some of the symptoms of cataracts in the early stages can be managed with sunglasses or eyeglasses with anti-reflective lenses.  When the cataract interferes with daily activities such as reading or driving, it’s time to consider surgery.

As with any eye disease, early detection and treatment are the keys to successful management of cataracts.  And the first step is a comprehensive eye examination annually, especially for persons over 60 years of age.