Knowing when it may be time for cataract surgery isn’t always obvious because cataracts don’t form overnight. Instead, they cloud the lens of the eye slowly over many years due to aging. Once they become established, they can lead to challenges with driving at night, difficulty reading small text, and the need for brighter lights throughout your home.
Cataracts become increasingly common as we age, but the question isn’t necessarily whether you have them. It’s more about whether they’re getting in the way of you living your life the way you want.
Here are seven signs it might be time to evaluate your eyes and check for cataracts:
1. Your vision looks blurry or cloudy
One reason it might be time to investigate cataracts is if your vision looks smudged, or it seems like you’re looking through a foggy window, and cleaning your glasses doesn’t help.
This is because cataracts are on the lens itself. No amount of cleaning can remove them.
2. Night driving is challenging
Getting a cataract evaluation is also worth considering when night driving becomes challenging. Clouding vision makes headlights feel more blinding, and it can be harder to read signs. If changes in your vision are making it more difficult to drive safely at night, it’s important to discuss those changes with your eye doctor.
3. You see glare and halos around lights
Seeing glare and halos around lights is another sign of cataract issues. Street lamps, light bulbs, and even the sun can develop a type of halo around them.
4. Colors look faded or yellowed
Faded or yellowed colors are also potential signs that you may need to explore options like cataract surgery. Blues lose their depth, while whites start looking more beige because of the way the cataract is interacting with incoming light before it reaches the retina.
5. Reading fine detail takes more effort
You may notice that it takes more of your energy to read small text or fine print. You need to hold pages closer to your face and use a stronger light when reading them.
The same difficulties may carry over to other fine work, including knitting, needlework, or using phone screens. Cataracts can make it difficult to see what you’re doing on a small scale.
6. Your prescription keeps changing
Another sign that it might be time for cataract surgery is if your frequent trips to the ophthalmologist don’t deliver sharper vision, even though you’re changing your glasses every few months. Cataracts can be progressive and changes in your prescription may not improve your vision as they once did.
7. It’s interfering with your work and hobbies
Finally, cataract surgery may be beneficial if it’s interfering with your work and hobbies. If you’re a driver or can’t see where the ball is going on the golf course, it can affect your quality of life and ability to earn money.
The decision to get surgery depends on your vision, not your age
It’s worth pointing out that whether you get cataract surgery directly relates to the quality of your vision, not your age. Two people can be the same age but have vastly different experiences with cataracts.
Should you wait until it gets worse?
Generally speaking, the timing of cataract surgery depends on how cataracts are affecting your vision, daily activities, and quality of life. Previously, doctors recommended allowing cataracts to “ripen,” but this is no longer state-of-the-art advice. Instead, the decision should be based on each patient’s individual vision needs and circumstances.
Modern cataract treatment removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a clear intraocular lens. Depending on your eye health, you may be a candidate for a TECNIS PureSee lens, which provides a wider range of vision.
Dr. Danny Lee at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville is able to help you if you have cataracts, with advanced technology and a variety of modern lens options. Schedule your visit today to discuss your individual vision and treatment options.