Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms and When to Consider Surgery

The lens inside your eye works like a camera lens, helping focus light so you can see clearly. Over time, proteins in the lens can begin to break down and clump together, creating cloudy areas that interfere with vision.

Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes and may progress at different rates. Because they usually form gradually, symptoms may be mild at first before becoming more noticeable over time.

Common symptoms include:

• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Halos around lights
• Perception of faded or yellowed colors
• Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescription
• Double vision in one eye

There are several types of cataracts, including age-related cataracts, congenital cataracts that are present at birth and traumatic cataracts caused by an eye injury.

Most cataracts develop as part of the natural aging process. As the proteins in the eye’s lens change over time, the lens gradually becomes less clear.

Certain lifestyle and health factors can also increase the risk of developing cataracts, including:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Long-term corticosteroid use
• Prolonged UV light exposure
• Eye injury or inflammation
• Family history of cataracts

While cataracts cannot be prevented, healthy habits may help protect your eye health. These steps may help lower your risk:

• Wear sunglasses that block UV rays
• Avoid smoking and manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes

Schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor if changes in your vision begin affecting daily activities or become more noticeable.

“Many people think blurry vision or night glare is just a normal part of aging, but these can be symptoms of cataracts,” Dr. Krall says.

If cataracts are suspected, your eye doctor may recommend a comprehensive dilated eye exam.

Cataracts are diagnosed during an eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The exam is painless, usually takes less than an hour and can often detect cataracts before they significantly affect vision.

“To diagnose cataracts, we use simple, noninvasive tests to closely examine the lens and overall health of the eye,” Dr. Krall says. “Most patients are surprised by how quick and comfortable the exam is, although the lights during the exam are quite bright.”

A cataract diagnosis is made using the following tests:

• A visual acuity test to check how clearly you can see at different distances
• A slit-lamp exam to look for clouding in the lens
• A retinal exam, using dilating eye drops to examine the retina and optic nerve

In the early stages of cataracts, vision changes can often be managed with stronger glasses. Brighter lighting or magnifying lenses may also help. These changes can improve daily activities like reading or driving for a time.

As cataracts progress, everyday tasks may become harder. They may also affect independence and quality of life. At that point, cataract surgery may be recommended.

“Cataract surgery is not something patients need to rush into, but it is worth considering when vision changes begin interfering with daily activities or independence,” Dr. Krall says.

Your eye doctor can monitor changes in your vision over time and help determine the right timing for surgery based on your symptoms, lifestyle and overall eye health.

Cataract surgery is a common outpatient procedure used to remove the eye’s cloudy natural lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) designed to restore clearer vision. The procedure is safe and highly effective. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes per eye.

Most people remain awake during surgery, but the eye is numbed with medication to help keep you comfortable. During the procedure, your surgeon removes the cloudy lens and inserts the artificial lens in its place.

After surgery, you can usually go home the same day. Because your vision may be blurry at first, you’ll need someone to drive you home. Many people notice improved vision within a few days, although full healing can take several weeks.

Many people notice clearer vision within a few days. Mild irritation, blurry vision or sensitivity to light is common at first and typically improves as the eye heals.

“Following your doctor’s instructions and giving your eye time to heal can help support the best possible outcome,” Dr. Krall says.

To help with recovery, your doctor may recommend:

• Using prescribed eye drops
• Avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activity for a short time
• Protecting the eye from rubbing, dust and water
• Wearing an eye shield while sleeping

Contact your eye doctor right away if you have severe pain, worsening redness, sudden vision loss, flashes of light or new floaters after surgery.

Early signs of cataracts include blurry or cloudy vision, trouble seeing at night, glare from lights and faded colors. Some people also notice halos around headlights while driving.

Most cataracts develop with aging as proteins in the eye’s lens break down over time. Diabetes, smoking, steroid use, UV exposure and eye injuries can also increase risk.

You may want to consider cataract surgery if vision changes begin affecting daily activities, such as reading, driving or recognizing faces.

Yes. Cataract surgery is considered safe and is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States. Although, as with any surgery, there are always going to be some risks such as bleeding or infection. Your eye doctor can also tell you if you have any other conditions that may increase your risk during cataract surgery.

During surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). There are several IOL options available which you may discuss with your surgeon.  

Cataract surgery is almost always outpatient surgery, meaning patients go home the same day. Many people notice clearer vision within a few days, but full healing can take several weeks. Mild blurry vision or irritation is common at first.