{"id":31328,"date":"2025-04-23T12:18:34","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T10:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/cataract-symptoms-what-symptoms-can-occur-and-when\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T23:02:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T21:02:51","slug":"cataract-symptoms-what-symptoms-can-occur-and-when","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/cataract-symptoms-what-symptoms-can-occur-and-when\/","title":{"rendered":"Cataract symptoms: What symptoms can occur and when"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cataracts<\/strong> are one of the most common eye diseases in older people. However, many of those affected hardly notice the changes at first, because: <strong>The symptoms develop gradually<\/strong>. It is only gradually that vision becomes cloudy, colors fade and everyday situations such as reading, driving or climbing stairs become a challenge.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article you will learn:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Which symptoms<\/strong> are typical for cataracts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How you can recognize the first signs early on<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>When an intervention makes sense<\/strong> &#8211; and how it works<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The earlier cataracts are diagnosed, the better the results of the treatment.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Typical symptoms of cataracts at a glance  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the stage, progression and personal perception, the symptoms of cataracts can be more or less intense in some people. As a rule, the clouding of the lens of the eye manifests itself through several of these symptoms:   <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Loss of visual acuity  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most common and first signs of cataracts is the <strong>gradual deterioration of visual acuity<\/strong>.<br\/>The image becomes increasingly blurred &#8211; as if you were looking through slightly fogged glasses. This is particularly noticeable when reading or recognizing faces and details in the distance. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Typical everyday situations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Small print is becoming more difficult to decipher &#8211; despite reading glasses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Street signs or house numbers appear blurred<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The TV suddenly appears &#8220;out of focus&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cause: the <strong>cloudy lens<\/strong> lets less light through &#8211; the image sharpness on the retina decreases.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sensitivity to glare from the sun and other light sources  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many patients report <strong>increasing sensitivity to light and glare<\/strong> &#8211; especially in direct sunlight, car headlights or reflective surfaces.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Typical complaints:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sunglasses suddenly become mandatory &#8211; even on cloudy days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Driving at night becomes unpleasant or even dangerous<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Artificial light (e.g. in the supermarket) is perceived as glaring and disturbing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is due to the <strong>altered light scattering caused by the cloudy lens<\/strong>, which scatters light sources in an uncontrolled manner and causes so-called <strong>halos<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Limited spatial vision  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The clouding can disrupt <strong>binocular interaction<\/strong>, which leads to <strong>a deterioration in spatial vision<\/strong>.<br\/>Steps, kerbs or distances are more difficult to judge.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Possible consequences in everyday life:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unsafe walking on uneven ground<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stumbling, especially in poor lighting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uncertainty when parking or overtaking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the severity and the eyes affected, the sense of space can change significantly &#8211; a clear indication of the <strong>progression of the cataract<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Double vision in one eye  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A rather rarer but characteristic symptom is <strong>double vision<\/strong>, which is only perceived in one eye &#8211; also known as <strong>monocular diplopia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How this manifests itself:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Individual letters or objects appear &#8220;shifted&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Double contours with bright objects or on screens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Particularly distracting when reading or during conversations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is caused by <strong>irregular refractive effects<\/strong> due to the cloudy lens &#8211; the image is projected onto the retina several times.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Change in color and contrast perception<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Colors appear <strong>less intense<\/strong> with increasing lens opacity. <strong>Blue tones<\/strong> in particular <strong>fade<\/strong> &#8211; yellow and brown tones dominate the field of vision. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What those affected notice:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>White appears rather yellowish<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blue appears grayer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contrasts are weaker overall<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is because the <strong>cloudy lens acts like a yellow filter<\/strong> that distorts the color spectrum and makes the <strong>visual impression<\/strong> appear <strong>&#8220;flatter&#8221;<\/strong> &#8211; particularly noticeable when watching television or taking photographs.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Progression of cataract symptoms: gradual but progressive  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cataracts usually begin <strong>unnoticed<\/strong> &#8211; and that is precisely what makes them so insidious. The <strong>symptoms develop slowly<\/strong> over months or years, which makes it difficult to recognize the right time for treatment at an early stage. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Initially, these are only small changes:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The light is more dazzling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The glasses &#8220;no longer fit so well&#8221;.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Colors appear less vivid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, as <strong>the clouding of the lens of the eye<\/strong> increases, the symptoms become more pronounced &#8211; and at some point it becomes difficult to cope with everyday life:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reading is more difficult, especially in low light<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Driving &#8211; especially at night &#8211; is becoming unsafe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faces and contours appear washed out or foggy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cataracts <strong>do not disappear by themselves<\/strong>. It progresses <strong>continuously<\/strong> until vision is impaired to such an extent that an operation becomes unavoidable. <strong>Early diagnosis by an ophthalmologist<\/strong> is therefore <strong>crucial<\/strong> in order to maintain quality of life.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cataract or other eye disease? Differentiation from other causes   <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the typical symptoms of cataracts &#8211; such as <strong>blurred vision, sensitivity to glare or double vision<\/strong> &#8211; can also occur with other eye diseases. It is therefore important <strong>not to trivialize<\/strong> changes in vision, but to have them professionally clarified. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Possible confusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Macular degeneration<\/strong>: Affected people have blurred or distorted vision in the center of the field of vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Glaucoma<\/strong>: Visual field defects occur &#8211; often unnoticed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Corneal diseases<\/strong>: cause similar light scattering effects to cataracts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Refractive changes<\/strong>: Myopia or hyperopia that changes with age<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike many of these diseases, <strong>cataracts can be completely cured with a comparatively minor procedure<\/strong>.<br\/>However, this requires a clear diagnosis &#8211; <strong>preferably by means of a comprehensive ophthalmological examination with a slit lamp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When should I see a doctor and consider cataract surgery?  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A visit to the ophthalmologist should be made at the latest when vision <strong>deteriorates noticeably<\/strong> or the symptoms <strong>interfere with everyday life<\/strong>.<br\/>The right time for an operation is not strictly defined for cataracts in particular &#8211; <strong>the individual quality of life is decisive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sensible times for clarification:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When spectacle adjustments no longer bring any improvement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With increasing sensitivity to glare, e.g. when driving a car<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When visual acuity decreases noticeably in everyday life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If colors, contrasts or spatial vision are limited<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if the symptoms are only mild: <strong>Early diagnosis ensures optimal results<\/strong> &#8211; especially for active people who want high visual performance.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to eliminate the causes of cataracts  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cataracts are caused by a <strong>progressive clouding of the natural lens of the eye<\/strong> &#8211; and <strong>cannot be stopped with medication or drops<\/strong>.<br\/>The only effective treatment is <strong>surgical removal of the cloudy lens<\/strong> and <strong>replacement with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Procedure for cataract surgery:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimally invasive procedure, usually outpatient<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The cloudy lens is removed by phacoemulsification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A clear artificial lens is inserted into the empty lens capsule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duration: approx. 15-20 minutes per eye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Modern intraocular lenses not only offer clear vision, but can also <strong>correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness or presbyopia<\/strong>, depending on the type of lens.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest surgical procedures in the world today<\/strong> &#8211; with excellent prospects of success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases in older people. However, many of those affected hardly notice the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":30764,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,210],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grauer-star-en","category-knowledge-about-the-eye"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31328"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31328\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}