Table of contents:
- What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts?
- 1. Blurred and cloudy vision
- 2. Double vision
- 3. Very sensitive to light
- 4. Difficulty seeing when it's dark
- 5. See the circle 'hello' around the light
- How do you diagnose cataracts?
- 1. Visual acuity test
- 2. Slit-lamp inspection
- 3. Retina examination
- 4. Shadow test
Cataracts are cloudy conditions in the eye lenses that are usually clear. Increasing age or accidents are common causes of cataracts. This disease develops over time so you may not even notice it in its early stages. Cataract sufferers usually experience certain signs and symptoms, including blurred vision. You need to know the symptoms so you can get the right treatment immediately, according to the cause and type of cataract. Check out the following explanation.
What are the signs and symptoms of cataracts?
Cataracts are a common condition as you get older. When you are young, the lenses of your eyes are clean and transparent.
However, over time, around the age of 60, the protein in your eye lens starts to break down and clot. These clots are called cataracts.
At first, a small portion of your eye's lens will become cloudy, but you may not experience vision loss or impairment. As it progresses, cataracts will further cloud the lens and cause more pronounced symptoms.
Quoted from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, here are the signs and symptoms of cataracts that you need to be aware of:
1. Blurred and cloudy vision
When you are in the early stages of cataracts, you may feel your vision is blurry and foggy. At this stage, you may feel that there is fog or smoke blocking the object you are looking at.
You may also feel that objects or other things that you see are not sharp and clear. Blurred vision due to cataracts can occur in one eye or both.
2. Double vision
The next symptom of cataracts is double vision or also known as diplopia. This condition occurs when you view two images of the same object.
Harvard Health Publishing states that there are two types of double vision, namely monocular (occurs in one eye) and binocular (occurs in both eyes). The condition that is usually a symptom of cataracts is monocular double vision (diplopia).
3. Very sensitive to light
The increased sensitivity to light can make you uncomfortable when you are in an environment that is too bright. For some people, this discomfort is unbearable.
In addition, you may also experience glare, a condition where light affects your ability to see objects or objects. Some people do need additional light when viewing or reading, but when there is too much or too much light, glare can occur.
Glare is divided into two, namely glare that causes discomfort and glare with disabilities. Cataracts can be the cause of defective glare.
When you experience cataract symptoms in the form of defective glare, your ability to see will decrease. This doesn't always cause discomfort, but it can reduce how much detail you can see.
4. Difficulty seeing when it's dark
Vision problems when it's dark or night blindness make it more difficult for you to see when it's dark. The difficulties that arise usually, such as:
- Your eyes seem to be trying harder to see
- It will take you longer to see
- You need to move to see clearly
These cataract symptoms make your vision decrease or even be unable to see at all in low light or dark conditions.
5. See the circle 'hello' around the light
Apart from the ones mentioned above, other cataract symptoms you may experience are seeing bright colors as yellow and seeing circles (halos) around glowing objects.
To confirm your doubts, you may be able to check your symptoms here. However, if you want to be absolutely sure whether your symptoms indicate cataracts or not, you should check with your doctor. Early detection of cataracts can make it easier for your doctor to determine the right treatment for you.
How do you diagnose cataracts?
Your doctor will diagnose cataracts by performing a number of tests, including looking at your medical history and asking about your symptoms. After that, the doctor will perform an eye examination. Some of the tests that your doctor may ask for a cataract check are:
1. Visual acuity test
A visual acuity test is done using a chart to measure how well you can read a series of letters. Your manta is tested one by one, while the other eye is closed.
By using a chart called snellen chart or certain tools, you are asked to read one by one letters of various sizes, from large to small. The doctor then determines whether you have any eye problems.
2. Slit-lamp inspection
A slit-lamp can help the doctor see the structures in your eye through a magnifying glass. A slit-lamp is a microscope that uses lines of intense light to illuminate the cornea, iris, lens, and the space between the iris and cornea. This method can enable the doctor to detect minor abnormalities in your eye.
3. Retina examination
During a retinal exam, the doctor will drip a medicine in your eye to open your pupil to a wider width. This method makes it easier to examine the back of your eye (retina). Later, the doctor will examine the lens of your eye for signs and symptoms of cataracts.
4. Shadow test
Shadow test or what is called retinoscopy is a technique to determine the refractive error (refraction) of the eye and the need for glasses. This test is useful for confirming a diagnosis of cataracts.
This check is done by projecting a beam of light through a handheld device called a retinoscope. When light is moved vertically and horizontally across the eye, the health worker will observe the movement of the light reflected from the back of the eye.
After diagnosing your condition, your doctor may discuss the right treatment for cataracts. One option is cataract surgery.
