Cataracts may sound like a problem that only the elderly need to worry about but they aren’t. Not only can you get them at any age, but you have a higher chance of developing them if you’re over 40.
They can develop slowly enough that you may not even notice them until they’ve affected your vision. And the only form of treatment is to have them removed through cataract surgery.
You should have cataracts removed if you can’t complete your every day tasks. Here are some signs that it may be time to have that surgery:
You Have Blurry Vision
Blurry vision is often seen as a sign of declining vision. You may change your prescription and try stronger glasses to correct it unsuccesfully.
But if you find your vision getting blurrier and glasses don’t help, it’s likely you have a cataract. Cataracts occur when your natural lens becomes cloudy due to proteins clumping.
Trying to see through a cloudy lens can be like trying to see through fog. If the fog is too thick, it’s time to get your cataracts removed!
You’re Seeing Double in One Eye
Seeing double can be a sign of other conditions if you see two images only when both eyes are open. But if you see double, or even triple or quadruple, in only one eye, that’s usually a sign of a cataract.
When you have trouble seeing because all you see is double, it’s time for cataract surgery.
You Struggle to Read, Even With Reading Glasses
Cataracts make it hard to see in low light, especially when working up close. This affects activities like reading or sewing.
You may find these tasks become impossible even if you wear strong reading glasses. This usually means your cataracts are severe enough that they warrant removal.
You Can’t See Unless There’s Plenty of Light
When your cataracts are in the early stages of development, they may not bother you. This means that you can still see to complete up-close tasks if you have enough light.
But as they worsen, you’ll need more and more light to be able to see both up-close and far away. When you can’t see well unless you’re in a well-lit area, that’s a sign that it’s time to think about having cataract surgery.
You Have Trouble Driving at Night
Cataracts tend to cause a lot of glare, especially in low-light. Seeing at night is also difficult with cataracts, so driving at night can be impossible.
Headlights from other cars at night may become blinding. If you struggle to drive at night, you need cataract surgery. Do yourself and other drivers on the road a favor and stop driving if you feel unsafe.
If it’s time to consider cataract surgery, you should see an eye specialist to get evaluated as soon as you can.
Contact New England Eye Center to request an appointment with our doctors in Boston!