Cataract Symptoms: Cloudy, Blurry Vision and Other Eyesight Changes
 A cataract is a cloudy portion of the lens of the eye. Symptoms usually progress slowly, but occasionally, a cataract causes no symptoms whatsoever. One of the first signs of a cataract is a slight, yet bothersome, blurring of vision. Sunlight and indoor lights may seem too bright or intense, and when you are driving at night, you may notice that oncoming headlights create more glare than usual. Cataract symptoms generally affect people over the age of 65, but these symptoms can develop in younger people.
Classic cataract symptoms can include:
- Cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy vision
- Poor vision at night
- Problems with glare
- Sensitivity to light
- Double vision (usually in one eye)
- Needing brighter light to read
- Sudden temporary improvement in close-up vision
- A need for changes in eyeglass prescription
- Sudden nearsightedness
Also, cataracts tend to develop symmetrically, that is, they usually develop in both eyes at the same time. If you are experiencing cataract symptoms, contact an ophthalmologist immediately. He will perform vision tests to make a definitive diagnosis and to prescribe a treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your condition, cataract treatment can be as simple as changing your eyeglass prescription or as intensive as surgical procedures to replace a cloudy lens with an artificial one.
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