What is a cataract?

Causes and Symptoms

Cataracts develop as a normal part of ageing or they may be caused by injury, medication exposure or certain diseases, such as diabetes. You can also be born with cataracts, referred to as congenital cataracts.

A cataracts is  a condition that progresses over time. The more dense they become, the more severe the symptoms will be. Cataracts are generally white but can be tinted yellow or brown and this can affect the way colours are seen.  At their onset, changes in the lens are so mild they are called "trace cataracts". As these changes progress, they will be called ‘mild’ to ‘moderate’ and once the cloudiness becomes pronounced they are called ‘mature’ or ‘ripe’ cataracts.

 

At first, the symptoms may resemble looking at things through a frosty or dirty window. As this frost or dirt increases, it becomes more difficult to see clearly and, eventually, as the cataract progresses, light is blocked out. Cataracts vary in the way they develop but usually progress at a slow pace as do their symptoms.

The common symptoms of cataract are:

        - cloudy or blurred vision

        - increased haziness, blurring, distortion and yellowed vision

        - difficulty with night vision or low-lit areas

        - night glare or halos around lights (headlights, street lights)

        - glare from bright lights or sunlight

        - double vision

        - being able to see better without glasses

        - the  need for frequent changes in your eye glasses or contact lenses.

        - changes in the way you see colours.

         These symptoms can also be a sign of other eye problems, and, if present, you

         should see an ophthalmologist for a  eye examination and cataract assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

What is a cataract?

Causes and Symptoms

Cataracts develop as a normal part of ageing or they may be caused by injury, medication exposure or certain diseases, such as diabetes. You can also be born with cataracts, referred to as congenital cataracts.

A cataracts is  a condition that progresses over time. The more dense they become, the more severe the symptoms will be. Cataracts are generally white but can be tinted yellow or brown and this can affect the way colours are seen.  At their onset, changes in the lens are so mild they are called "trace cataracts". As these changes progress, they will be called ‘mild’ to ‘moderate’ and once the cloudiness becomes pronounced they are called ‘mature’ or ‘ripe’ cataracts.

 

At first, the symptoms may resemble looking at things through a frosty or dirty window. As this frost or dirt increases, it becomes more difficult to see clearly and, eventually, as the cataract progresses, light is blocked out. Cataracts vary in the way they develop but usually progress at a slow pace as do their symptoms.

The common symptoms of cataract are:

        - cloudy or blurred vision

        - increased haziness, blurring, distortion and yellowed vision

        - difficulty with night vision or low-lit areas

        - night glare or halos around lights (headlights, street lights)

        - glare from bright lights or sunlight

        - double vision

        - being able to see better without glasses

        - the  need for frequent changes in your eye glasses or contact lenses.

        - changes in the way you see colours.

         These symptoms can also be a sign of other eye problems, and, if present, you

         should see an ophthalmologist for a  eye examination and cataract assessment.