Do I Have Cataracts?

Most individuals will develop cataracts at some point in their lives. While cataracts can be treated and the threat they represent to healthy vision can be eliminated, untreated cataracts can become very debilitating and eventually develop to the point that you cannot pass a driver’s license eye test or, in extreme cases, lead to total blindness. That’s why it is very important that you be able to recognize the symptoms of cataracts and schedule regular eye exams so an eye doctor can identify and monitor the progression of cataracts before vision is greatly impacted.

Cataracts typically start out very small and may not have a noticeable effect on your vision in the early stages. Eventually, you may experience some slight blurriness and/or a “hazy” effect in your vision that hasn’t always been there. Light may have more of a glare or brightness than you remember, and you may notice that colors don’t seem to “pop” as they once did. Depth perception may also seem to be a bit off, and you may need to get more frequent updates to your eyeglass prescription. There may also be noticeable white spots over the eye’s pupil. Double-vision is another common sign, and driving at night may be increasingly problematic.

Take a look at answers to frequently asked questions about cataracts here.

There are different types of cataracts and people experience different symptoms depending upon the unique anatomical makeup of their eyes. In some cases, individuals may experience no symptoms at all until the cataract is already in advanced stages. Whether it is a cataract or not, any type of change in one’s vision should be checked out just to be on the safe side. Even if your vision seems normal, it’s important to have at least one eye exam each year to ensure there are no issues with the health of your eyes, or to treat any existing problems as early as possible. When it comes to cataracts, the only way to stop the progression of cataracts and restore clear vision is by surgical removal.

If you have questions about cataracts, The Eye Institute of Utah can help. Please contact us today for more information, or to schedule a consultation.