Cloudy Vision? It Might Be Cataracts – Here’s What You Need to Know

Do you find yourself squinting to read street signs, or perhaps struggling to see clearly when driving at night? Maybe colours just don’t seem as vibrant as they used to, or your favourite book is becoming a blur. If a gradual haziness has crept into your vision, you’re not alone.

June is Cataract Awareness Month, a vital time to shed light on this common eye condition and empower you with the knowledge to protect your precious sight. It’s an opportunity to understand what’s happening with your vision and, more importantly, what can be done about it to restore your clarity.

So, What Exactly Are Cataracts?

Imagine looking out of a window that’s slowly becoming foggy, dirty, or even frosted over. That’s a bit like what happens when you develop a cataract. In simple terms, a cataract is a clouding of your eye’s natural lens. This lens, located behind your iris (the coloured part of your eye) and pupil, is normally crystal clear. Its job is to focus light onto your retina, allowing you to see sharp, clear images.

When a cataract forms, proteins in the lens begin to clump together, turning it opaque. This prevents light from passing through clearly, resulting in blurry or distorted vision.

Are You Seeing These Symptoms?

Cataracts typically develop slowly and painlessly, often without you noticing them until your vision is significantly affected. Keep an eye out for these common symptoms:

• Cloudy, blurry, or dim vision, everything might look a bit hazy, as if you’re constantly looking through a dirty pane of glass.
• Difficulty with night vision, glare from headlights or streetlights might become more intense, and you might see halos around lights, making night driving particularly challenging.
• Sensitivity to light and glare, bright sunlight or indoor lighting can feel uncomfortably dazzling.
• Fading or yellowing of colours, colours you once found vibrant might now appear dull, washed out, or have a yellowish tint.
• Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescription, you might find yourself needing new glasses more often, but your vision still doesn’t feel quite right.
• Double vision in one eye, while less common, some people may experience double vision in just one eye.

Who’s at Risk?

While cataracts are a natural part of the ageing process, affecting most people eventually, certain factors can increase your risk of developing them or speed up their progression:

Age: This is the primary risk factor. The older you get, the higher your chances of developing cataracts.
Diabetes: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts, often at a younger age.
Smoking: Smoking significantly increases your risk.
Prolonged exposure to UV light: Unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can contribute to cataract formation.
Eye injury or inflammation: Trauma to the eye or certain inflammatory eye conditions can lead to cataracts.
Family history: If cataracts run in your family, you may be more susceptible.
Certain medications: Long-term use of some medications, like corticosteroids, can increase risk.

The Good News: Cataracts Are Treatable!

While the idea of a cloudy lens might sound daunting, the good news is that cataracts are easily treated! Modern medical advancements mean that cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgical procedures performed worldwide. It can restore clear vision and significantly improve your quality of life.

At Clarity, we specialise in private cataract treatment, offering you the benefits of faster access to care and premium lens options designed for even better visual outcomes. Imagine seeing the world with renewed clarity, vibrant colours, and crisp details. Learn more about our premium lenses.

Take Action for Your Eyes!

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, or if it’s been a while since your last eye check-up, don’t wait! The first and most important step is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They can accurately diagnose cataracts and discuss the best course of action for your unique situation.

This Cataract Awareness Month, let’s commit to clearer vision. Clarity is here to help you achieve it.