Posted by: Focal Point Vision in Blog
Cataracts are a common eye condition typically associated with age. They form inside the natural lens of the eye, causing them to become cloudy.
The cloudier the lenses become, the less light is able to pass through. When light is not able to travel to the back of the eye to reach the retina unobstructed, vision is affected.
Cataracts typically grow very slowly. This means you can live with them for years and barely notice an impact on your vision.
Keep reading to learn seven signs that it may be time for cataract surgery in San Antonio!
1. Your Vision Is Significantly Impaired
Eventually, cataracts will completely block your vision. However, you don’t need to wait until your vision is entirely impaired to receive help.
If your poor eyesight begins to affect your daily life or puts you in danger, schedule a cataract screening with your eye doctor at Focal Point Vision. You will receive an evaluation of your vision, and your eye doctor will help you decide whether or not it’s time for cataract surgery.
2. You Notice an Increase in Visual Disturbances
As light passes through the lens, cataracts can cause it to scatter inside the eye. When light bounces around in your eye, it can create intense glare.
You may notice halos forming around light sources like headlights or streetlamps. You may also notice that it is increasingly difficult to drive at night due to the glare from oncoming cars.
Cataracts can often cause double vision in one eye. Any of these symptoms can be distracting, but they can also be dangerous.
3. Your Prescription Changes Frequently
It is normal for eyesight to change as you age. However, if you need new glasses every few months, this may be a sign that something is wrong.
Any number of conditions could cause your glasses’ prescription size to change, and cataracts are one of them. If you are noticing that you frequently need prescription updates, it may be due to cataracts.
4. Colors Seem Muted
Cataracts also affect the way your eyes perceive color. Cataracts are yellowish in color, which can cause the colors you see to take on a dull appearance.
For this reason, you will likely have trouble with contrast in your color vision as cataracts develop. Everything around may begin to seem less vibrant and more washed out.
5. Driving At Night Is Difficult
Cataracts make vision worse because they block out light. If you are already in a place that has low light, cataracts make it much more difficult to see.
Many people who have cataracts often find driving at night particularly difficult. Not only do you have less light to deal with, but halos and glare could also be more pronounced.
Reading signs may also become a chore. If your vision makes you feel unsafe, that is a clear sign that it is time to get help.
6. You Have Lost Depth Perception
Cataracts often form in both eyes at the same time. However, that doesn’t mean they always grow at the same rate.
Sometimes a cataract in one eye will mature much faster than the other. This creates an imbalance in your vision.
If one eye can see significantly better than the other, it could become difficult to judge distances accurately. Both eyes need to be working together well in order to see in three dimensions.
7. Day-to-Day Life Becomes More Difficult
Vision is a vital part of our daily lives. It helps us navigate our world, and without it, life becomes much more difficult.
Cataracts gradually decrease your vision and make it harder to function as you usually do. You may find yourself turning on more lights than normal just to get around.
Reading books could become too difficult to enjoy. You could even be in danger of falling and tripping over things in your house more often.
If you are unable to perform your normal day-to-day routine, it may be time to move forward with cataract surgery.
What Is Cataract Surgery Like?
Fortunately, cataract surgery is a very safe and effective procedure. Cataract surgery is well understood and researched, leading to an incredible rate of success.
The surgery involves removing affected lenses and replacing them with artificial lenses, called IOLs. IOLs are essentially replacement lenses made from durable silicone or acrylic.
Standard IOLs allow you to see but will cause you to need glasses after the surgery. If you invest in premium IOLs, though, you have a much better chance of not needing glasses at all.
Some patients even end up having better vision after cataract surgery than ever before! During your cataract screening at Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX, you can find out what kinds of IOLs are available and how soon you may need cataract surgery.
Are your cataracts interfering with your life? Schedule a cataract evaluation at Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX, today!
