A typical nuclear Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision impairment in Australia, so it’s important you know what to look out for.

Most cataracts develop slowly over a period of months or years. Because your eyes are able to compensate for minor visual disturbances, even a medium-sized cataract may not necessarily cause a noticeable change in your vision. Only after years of growth, when the cataract affects a significant amount of your lens, will the first cataract symptoms become noticeable.

While there is no substitute for regular eye checks, the next best thing you can do is be aware of the symptoms of Cataracts

Early symptoms of Cataracts

Blurred vision

Blurred vision is often the first sign of a cataract. A cloudy lens is like a layer of frosted glass, which blocks some of the light that would usually pass through to your eye. Once the cataract has progressed glasses and contact lenses no longer help to improve the vision and the cataract has to be removed.

Glare

Usually, the lens focuses light on the back of your eye (the retina) very precisely. However, the cloudy lens of a cataract scatters some of the light in different directions. The scattered light creates glare and sensitivity to bright lights. This can result in glare when driving at night with bright car headlights.

Faded colours

As the cataract forms, the lens hardens and becomes more yellow. This hard, physical barrier blocks light and acts like a yellow filter. Because of this, the vibrancy and brightness of colours does not make it through to the eye. This results in colours that look faded with a yellow tinge.

Double vision

In the same way that a cloudy lens causes glare sensitivity, it may also result in double vision. The cloudy lens may split incoming light in two, instead of focusing it at a single point. This can produce double vision or a ghost-like image next to objects.

Haloes around lights

When light scatters, it may also produce a glow (halo) around lights or bright objects.

Poor night vision

All vision will appear dim and/or distorted due to the cloudy barrier. Low-light conditions, especially in combination with glare sensitivity, tend to make your already reduced vision much worse.