How Does a Cataract Differ from Glaucoma?
 The development of a cataract and the occurrence of glaucoma are two separate eye conditions, but sometimes, it's easy to confuse them because of their similar symptoms. Generally, a cataract is a clouding over of the lens in the eye that often comes on with aging. Glaucoma, on the other hand, is an eye condition characterized by increased pressure in the eyeball that may result in damage to the optic nerve.
While they share some symptoms, the two conditions can be differentiated by some subtleties as seen below:
Cataract symptoms include:
- Blurry, cloudy vision
- Poor night vision
- Abnormal reaction to glare and bright lights
- Double vision (in one eye)
- Sudden nearsightedness
Angle-closure glaucoma symptoms include:
- Seeing halos around lights
- Blurry vision
- Vision disturbances in low light
- Nausea and vomiting
- Red eyes
- Severe eye pain
Open-angle glaucoma symptoms include:
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes
- Tunnel vision
If you have symptoms of either a cataract or glaucoma, see your eye doctor immediately. Routine vision tests, including dilating your pupils to see if there is damage to your optic nerve or retina, and a test to measure the pressure present in your eye could make an accurate distinction between cataracts and glaucoma.
Left untreated, both conditions may lead to increased loss of vision, and in advanced stages require surgery for proper treatment. Occasionally, a cataract may form after glaucoma surgery. This is known as a secondary cataract and it can be treated easily.
You may be able to help prevent cataract and glaucoma development by taking steps to improve your eye health now. Quitting smoking, protecting your eyes with sunglasses, and consuming foods rich in lutein and glutathione, which can also be taken in supplement form, may help improve your ocular health.
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