What are the symptoms of cataracts in the elderly? From blurred vision to definitive treatment

Blurred vision of the elderly? What are the symptoms of cataract?

Have you ever noticed that your grandma or grandpa's vision has gotten a little blurry in recent years? Many elderly people face the problem of blurred vision. Blurred vision, which is one of their most common problems, can severely affect their quality of life. While there are various reasons for this complication, one of the most common, important and treatable of them is "cataract". In this disease, the lens of the eye gradually becomes cloudy and causes blurred vision in the person. As the cataract progresses, vision becomes impaired and it becomes difficult to perform daily activities such as driving, reading, etc. But the good news is that cataracts are treatable! Recognizing the "cataract symptoms" in time is the key to early diagnosis and treatment to prevent further vision loss.

In this article, we fully discuss how you can recognize the signs of cataracts in yourself or your loved ones and when you should see a doctor to maintain their vision health.

What is cataract and why is it common in the elderly?

Cataract is an eye disease in which the lens of the eye, which is normally clear, becomes cloudy. The function of the eye lens is to focus light on the retina, which can form clear images. When cataracts form, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and light cannot pass through properly, resulting in blurred or foggy vision. Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes and usually progress slowly.

The most common type of cataract is age-related cataract, which was seen in elderly people. With age, the proteins in the lens of the eye may begin to accumulate and stick together, causing part of the lens to become cloudy. In addition to age, other factors can increase the risk of developing this disease, such as diabetes, long-term use of corticosteroids, eye injuries, history of eye surgery, smoking, and long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays without eye protection.

Cataracts often progress over time, but fortunately, they can be treated with simple surgery. Knowing the symptoms of cataracts in the early stages is very helpful. If you see blurs or lights, it is better to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.

Early symptoms of cataracts in the elderly

Timely diagnosis of cataract symptoms is very important, especially in the elderly. At first, these symptoms may be mild and imperceptible and gradually increase. One of the first and most important early symptoms of cataracts in the elderly is a mild and gradual blurring of vision. This blurred vision is usually like looking through a dirty or foggy window. A person may have difficulty reading books or seeing small details. Also, the change in the way colors are perceived are also considered as primary signs; Colors may appear paler or lean toward yellow and brown.

Other early symptoms include increased sensitivity to light (Photophobia) and glare. For example, sunlight or car headlights at night may appear too bright and annoying, and halos can be seen around the lights. This can make driving at night very dangerous for the elderly. Also, the person may have to change the number of glasses or lenses frequently. This can also be another sign of developing cataracts, because the cloudy lens regularly loses its ability to focus.

Read more: All about Cataract or Cataract | The best cataract surgery doctor

Blurred vision of the elderly; The main symptom of cataract

Blurred vision in the elderly is considered one of the most common and common symptoms of cataracts. This blurring of vision often starts over time and gradually worsens. At first, a person may notice this problem only in low light or when he wants to do precise activities such as threading a needle or reading fine print. But with the progress of the disease, the blurring of vision reaches such a level that it makes it difficult to carry out daily activities such as driving, watching TV, recognizing people's faces and even walking in unfamiliar environments.

This blurring of vision is because the lens of the eye has become cloudy and can no longer deliver light to the retina well. In other words, instead of the light reaching the retina in a concentrated manner, it enters the eye in a scattered manner, and as a result, clear images are not created. This problem not only overshadows direct vision, but also reduces peripheral vision and even depth perception and increases the risk of falls or accidents. It should be considered that this blurring of vision is not just a natural part of aging and can be a sign of cataracts.

Opacity of the lens of the eye and its effect on vision

As mentioned above, the main nature of cataracts is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. Normally, the lens of the eye is transparent and completely colorless and allows light to pass through it easily. But when cataracts start, the proteins in the lens change shape and stick together, causing part or all of the lens to become cloudy or opaque. This clouding occurs slowly and can turn white, yellow, or brown in color.

The effect of lens opacity on vision is directly related to the amount of opacity and its location in the lens. The more and denser the opacity, the less light can reach the back of the eye (retina) and as a result the blurring of vision will be more severe. Also, depending on the location of the turbidity, the symptoms may vary. For example:

Opacity in the center of the lens (core): May cause more blurring of vision in high light and better vision in low light. This type of cataract may cause myopia.
Opacity at the edges of the lens (cortical): It usually first affects peripheral vision and causes glare and night vision problems. As the disease progresses, the turbidity moves towards the center.
Opacity behind the lens (posterior subcapsular): This type of cataract usually progresses more quickly and has a greater effect on near vision and reading, and also causes severe glare against light.

When the lens becomes cloudy, the quality of the images decreases, the color contrast weakens (the colors become lighter) and it becomes harder to see fine details. This situation makes daily activities more difficult over time.

Other Common Cataract Symptoms You Should Know

In addition to blurred vision and clouding of the lens, cataract symptoms include the following:

Sensitivity to light and glare: As mentioned, one of the most common problems is hypersensitivity to bright lights and experiencing intense glare. This mode is more annoying at night when driving due to the light of the lights of the cars in front or on strong sunny days and leads to seeing halos around the light sources.
Difficulty with night vision: As cataracts progress, night vision decreases significantly. This is because the clouded lens cannot deliver enough light to the retina, which makes it very difficult to see in low light conditions.
Double vision in one eye (Monocular Diplopia): In some cases, cataracts can lead to double vision, but unlike double vision caused by eye muscle problems, this double vision occurs in only one eye and is resolved by closing the other eye.
Color Fading: When a lens becomes cloudy, colors appear less vivid and bright, sometimes even adding a yellow or brown tint to the overall vision. A person may notice that the colored clothes or the surroundings do not have the same shine as before.
Frequent changes in eyeglass or lens prescription: If you need to change your eyeglass or lens number frequently, especially if the eyeglass number is changing towards nearsightedness (Myopia), it could be a sign of cataract progression. A cloudy lens can change the eye's ability to change focus.
Expansion of vision (Light Sensitivity): Some people feel irritated and uncomfortable when exposed to strong or direct lights. Sensitivity to light is also one of the symptoms that some people experience.

When should we go to the doctor to check the symptoms of cataracts?

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above cataract symptoms, it is very important to see the best eye doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and regular eye examinations, especially for people over 40 and especially the elderly, are the keys to managing this disease. Even if symptoms are mild, a full eye exam can check the condition of your lens.

Ophthalmological examination includes vision test, measurement of eye pressure and careful examination of the back of the eye after the dilation of the pupils. These examinations allow the doctor to confirm the presence of cataracts, assess its severity and rule out other eye diseases. Remember that cataracts in the early stages may not require immediate treatment, but regular check-ups are important to decide on the right time for surgery. Procrastination in seeing a doctor can lead to a decrease in vision and a negative impact on the quality of life.

Conclusion

Cataract is a common and curable eye disease that is mostly seen in the elderly. Symptoms of cataracts include blurred vision, clouding of the lens, sensitivity to light, glare, night vision problems, color changes, and the need to frequently change the number of glasses. These symptoms can develop gradually and affect the quality of life. Timely diagnosis and regular visits to the ophthalmologist for periodical examinations, especially after the age of 40, are of particular importance. By recognizing these signs and taking immediate action, vision loss can be prevented and clearer vision can be obtained with effective treatments. Remember that blurred vision is not always a part of being elderly and can be a sign of a treatable problem such as glaucoma.

FAQ:

1. What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that causes blurred vision. The lens of the eye, which is normally clear, becomes cloudy with the accumulation of proteins.

2. Do cataracts only occur in the elderly?

While the most common type of cataract is related to aging and is more common in the elderly, this disease can also occur in younger people due to factors such as eye damage, diabetes, or the use of certain medications.

3. Can cataracts be treated without surgery?

No, there are currently no medications, drops, or exercises to treat or eliminate cataracts. The only effective way to treat cataracts and restore vision is surgery.

4. How long does it take for cataracts to completely destroy vision?

The speed of cataract development is different in different people. It usually progresses slowly over years and rarely causes complete blindness, but it can severely impair vision.

5. Can cataracts be prevented?

There is no surefire way to prevent cataracts, but you can reduce your risk by taking measures such as protecting your eyes from UV rays (using sunglasses), controlling underlying diseases such as diabetes, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet.

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