Learn about Cataracts symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Cataracts

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Cataracts can affect your eyesight in different ways. And they can bother you a little or a lot.

We've listed the most common symptoms of cataracts here.

Source:
National Eye Institute.
Cataract: What you should know.
Available at http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/webcataract.pdf (accessed on 5 March 2009).

Source:
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Understanding cataracts.
2001. http://www.rcophth.ac.uk/about/publications (accessed on 5 March 2009).

Things look cloudy or blurry.
You keep having to get new glasses.
Colors seem faded. You might find it hard to tell between some colors, especially the different shades of blue.
You get a glare from lights. And headlights, lamps or sunlight can seem too bright.
You might see a ring around lights, too. Doctors call this a halo effect.
You might find it harder than usual to see at night.
You might have double vision.

You can get cataracts in just one eye or in both eyes. Most people with cataracts wind up having them in both eyes.

Sources for the information on this page:

National Eye Institute.Cataract: What you should know.Available at http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/webcataract.pdf (accessed on 5 March 2009).

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.Understanding cataracts.2001. http://www.rcophth.ac.uk/about/publications (accessed on 5 March 2009).

This information was last updated on Mar 06, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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