Four Signs That You May Need Cataract Eye Surgery
If you're over the age of 50, you may be at increased risk of developing cataracts. In fact, over half of all American citizens will develop cataracts in one or both eyes during some point before they reach their 80th birthday. Cataracts are a condition that affects the lens of the eye, and they can happen in one eye or in both. Fortunately, cataract surgery is fairly routine and has a high success rate.
If you've been having trouble with your eyes lately, cataracts may be the culprit. Following are four signs that it may be time to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to explore possible solutions.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision is one of the first signs that cataracts may be beginning to develop in the lenses of one or both of your eyes. The blurry or clouded vision is caused by protein clumps on the lens of the eye and are a fairly normal part of the aging process.
Fading Colors
Another sign that cataracts may be a part of the picture is that colors that used to be bright and vibrant are now drab and faded. In some people with cataracts, the colors appear yellowish; think of an old fashioned photograph done in sepia tones.
Dimming
Some cataract sufferers also experience dimming along with cloudy and blurred vision. What this means is that the things you used to do, such as reading, crafting, or working in the kitchen require more light than they have previously. If you find yourself checking your reading lamp, for instance, because you're having trouble reading, that could mean that cataracts are preventing you from seeing the way that you used to.
Sensitivity to Bright Lights and Glare
If you find yourself suddenly experiencing difficulty driving at night because oncoming headlight, streetlights, or the lights of vehicles behind you make it difficult for you to see, you may be suffering from cataracts. This may be particularly true if you notice an extremely pronounced halo effect around the lights in question. To test this out, go outdoors on a clear night and look at one of the nearby streetlights. If there's a halo around it, this could be a sign that your vision is being clouded by cataracts.
Please feel free to contact your eye doctor, like those at Olympia Eye Clinic, Inc., P.S., at your earliest convenience in order to learn more about whether cataract surgery is the right option for you.