Do I Have Cataracts?

Are you over 40 years old?

Do you have cloudy or blurry vision that makes objects appear like you are looking at them through a veil or a frosty, fogged-up window?

Do you have increased sensitivity to light and glare (light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright now)?

Do you see “halos” around lights (rings around light sources, sometimes in a variety of colors)?

Do you have increasing difficulty with vision at night?

Do you have double vision in one eye - you see things duplicated or do those double images overlap (ghosting vision)?

Did you notice that the colors do not look as bright as they used to, now the colors have a yellow tint?

Do you have reduced ability to tell the difference between colors?

Do you need brighter light for reading or have vision problems while driving?

Do you have to change the prescription for your glasses or contact lenses often?

Do you have any of the following condition: diabetes, high blood pressure or previous eye injury or eye surgery?

Do you have a family history of cataracts?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have cataracts. If you have any trouble seeing clearly, you should contact your eye doctor (Optometrist or Ophthalmologist). Your doctor will do a comprehensive eye exam to determine what is causing your vision difficulty. Regular eye examinations can help you detect eye problems in the earliest stages. All people over the age of 40 should schedule an eye exam every two years, even if they do not have vision problems..

Based on your answers you may have cataracts. Cataracts are the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Cataracts can usually develop with ageing and it’s not painful. Be sure to make an appointment with your ophthalmologist who will review your symptoms, your medical history and perform an eye examination in order to determine whether you have a cataract. In early stages of cataracts, your vision can be improved with new glasses or contact lenses. If you have severe impaired vision by cataracts that affects your daily activities, it is time to think about surgery. Thankfully, cataract surgery is a very safe and efficient procedure.