6 Signs You May Need Cataract Surgery

Do you find your vision becoming blurry or foggy as if you’re looking through a dusty window? If so, it might be time to consider cataract surgery. Cataracts can severely impact your daily life, limiting your ability to drive, read, or even see expressions on loved ones’ faces.

Here, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of a cataract and how to identify if you may need cataract surgery. Keep reading to understand more about this common eye condition and how to get the help you need.

1. Blurred Vision

One of the most common signs of cataracts is blurred or foggy vision. Cataracts occur when the lenses in the eyes become cloudy and opaque, making it difficult to see through them. They can develop in one or both eyes, leading to blurry vision and a loss of contrast.

2. Frequent Prescription Changes

If your prescription for glasses or contacts changes more often than usual, this could be a sign of cataracts. Initially, a cataract may cause slight cloudiness in a small part of the eye’s lens, which might go unnoticed as it doesn’t immediately cause vision loss.

However, as the cataract grows, it obscures the lens and affects how light passes through, leading to more noticeable symptoms.

3. Glare and Light Sensitivity

Glare and light sensitivity can be common symptoms of cataracts. This occurs when the cataract blocks the entrance of light into the eye, causing intense glare or discomfort in bright light.

You may also find it difficult when attempting to do the following:

• Driving at night
• Reading outdoors
• Going to the theater

4. Difficulty with Night Vision

Cataracts can also cause difficulty with night vision. This is because the cataract blocks light, making it harder for the eye to adjust to lower light levels. Low-light situations like nighttime driving can become quite dangerous as it reduces your ability to identify obstacles and other vehicles on the road.

5. Seeing Halos Around Lights

If you’re seeing a halo or circular pattern around bright lights, this could be a sign of cataracts. Halos around light sources can be observed due to various eye conditions, particularly those that change the shape of the cornea, resulting in an abnormal bending of light entering the eye.

Halos are frequently noticed during the nighttime near street lights and headlights, causing a considerable impact on visual clarity.

6. Double Vision in One Eye

If you’re experiencing double vision in one eye, this could be a sign of cataracts or another condition. Double vision, also known as diplopia, occurs when both eyes focus on different objects simultaneously.

Double vision from cataracts is different from misalignment of the eyes, where both eyes see double simultaneously. With cataracts, even one open eye can perceive double images.

Get Cataract Surgery at Teton Outpatient Services

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, getting your eyes checked as soon as possible is essential. Early diagnosis of cataracts can prevent further vision loss and significantly improve your quality of life. At Teton Outpatient Services, Dr. Monroe—a board-certified ophthalmologist with over 25 years of experience—offers top-tier cataract surgery services.

Contact Dr. Jamie Monroe today to learn more about cataract surgery and how it can help you! With Dr. Monroe’s expertise in ophthalmology, you can be sure that your cataract surgery will be done with precision and care.