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Beginning Stages of Cataracts
The lens of the eye sits just behind the iris, the colored, visible muscle in the eye. As a normal part of aging, protein deposits gradually form on the lens, causing the lens to turn thick and hard. This is called a cataract. When a person can no longer perform daily activities, an eye doctor can remove the advanced cataract with surgery. Cataracts in the early stages don't need to be removed.
Presence Noted in Examination
In the earliest stage of cataracts, a person doesn't notice changes to vision. Typically, a person has an eye examination, and the doctor mentions the presence of mild cataracts. This may come as a surprise to many people, because they have no noticeable changes with their eyes or vision. In order for the doctor to determine if someone has cataracts, he uses eye drops to dilate the pupils in both eyes. Once the drops widen the pupils, the doctor uses a slit lamp--a microscope designed specifically for eyes--to evaluate the front and back of the eye, says the National Eye Institute 1. If the person has a cataract, the doctor can see the cloudiness during the examination.
- In the earliest stage of cataracts, a person doesn't notice changes to vision.
Vision Changes
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Cataracts occur slowly, and vision changes happen over many years. In the beginning stages of cataracts, the hardening of the lens may require the need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, says the National Eye Institute 1. With updated lenses, vision likely improves for a short time. At some point, however, a new prescription for glasses doesn't improve vision. Cataracts have a yellow tint, and since the eye uses the lens as a window to let in light, the yellow cataract will cause the person to see muted colors or a yellow haze. In the early stages, many people don't recognize the color change, though artists--as well as others who rely on color perception--may notice the color change in the beginning stages of the cataract.
- Cataracts occur slowly, and vision changes happen over many years.
- In the early stages, many people don't recognize the color change, though artists--as well as others who rely on color perception--may notice the color change in the beginning stages of the cataract.
Glare
As light enters the eye, the deposits on the lens distort the light, causing glare problems. Many people have difficulty seeing at night, says The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2. In this situation, people with early cataracts often stop driving at night because they don't feel safe. Glare from headlights may create a starburst effect in the vision, which often adds to the difficult driving conditions.
- As light enters the eye, the deposits on the lens distort the light, causing glare problems.
Related Articles
References
- National Eye Institute: Facts about Cataract
- Eye Care America: The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Cataracts
- MayoClinic.com: Cataracts
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common Eye Disorders. Updated September 29, 2015.
- American Optometric Association. Cataract.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. What Are Cataracts? Updated October 1, 2019.
- Gupta VB, Rajagopala M, Ravishankar B. Etiopathogenesis of cataract: an appraisal. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62(2):103-110. doi:10.4103/0301-4738.121141
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataract Diagnosis and Treatment. Updated October 1, 2019.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. What can I use for my red, itchy eyes after cataract surgery? 2018.
- American Optometric Association. Cataract Surgery.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Early Intracapsular Cataract Extraction.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Traditional Cataract Surgery vs. Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery. Updated August 28, 2019.
- Stein JD. Serious adverse events after cataract surgery. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2012;23(3):219-225. doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e3283524068
- Weikel KA, Garber C, Baburins A, Taylor A. Nutritional modulation of cataract. Nutr Rev. 2014;72(1):30-47. doi:10.1111/nure.12077
Writer Bio
Kate Beck started writing for online publications in 2005. She worked as a certified ophthalmic technician for 10 years before returning to school to earn a Masters of Fine Arts degree in writing. Beck is currently putting the finishing touches on a novel.