Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the crystalline lens, the eye’s natural lens, loses its transparency and becomes cloudy. This process is usually related to aging and can cause blurred vision, loss of contrast, glare or difficulty seeing properly, especially at night.

Symptoms of cataracts can include blurred vision, a feeling of looking through a fog, increased sensitivity to light, glare, difficulty driving at night, faded colors and frequent changes in prescription. They usually develop gradually.

The only way to confirm whether you have cataracts is through an eye examination. The specialist examines the lens and checks how its loss of transparency is affecting your vision. Gradual changes in visual quality can be a reason to request an assessment.

Cataracts are diagnosed through a complete eye examination that assesses the lens, visual acuity and the general condition of the eye. Depending on the case, other tests may be performed to plan treatment and rule out other eye diseases.

Cataracts develop when proteins in the lens begin to build up and the lens gradually loses its transparency. Aging is the most common cause, although they can also appear earlier due to factors such as eye trauma, certain diseases, some medications or previous eye surgery.

Cataracts are more common after the age of 60, although they can appear earlier. The age at which they appear depends on various individual factors, and some people may develop cataracts at an earlier stage of life.

Yes. Although they are much more common with aging, they can also appear in young people. Cataracts at an early age may be related to trauma, diseases, certain drug treatments, congenital conditions or other factors.

Cataracts can develop in both eyes, although they do not necessarily appear at the same time or progress at the same rate. It is common for one eye to have a more advanced cataract than the other.

An advanced cataract can cause significant vision loss if left untreated. However, cataract surgery makes it possible to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an intraocular lens, and it is currently one of the most common and effective eye procedures for restoring vision.

In the early stages, correctly prescribed glasses and good lighting can help compensate for visual difficulties. However, there are currently no eye drops or drug treatments that eliminate a cataract once it has formed. When vision loss affects quality of life, surgery is the definitive treatment.

If a cataract progresses, vision may gradually deteriorate and make activities such as reading, driving, working or getting around safely more difficult. Progression varies and not all cataracts need to be operated on immediately, so the ophthalmologist may recommend regular check-ups until surgery is indicated.

A person with cataracts may experience blurred or cloudy vision, as if looking through a haze. They may also notice less contrast, duller colors, glare and difficulty seeing at night. Symptoms usually appear gradually.

Yes. Cataracts can make night vision particularly difficult and cause glare, halos around lights or greater difficulty driving at night. These symptoms can appear even when daytime vision still seems acceptable.

Seeing halos or rings around lights can be related to various eye problems, including cataracts. The loss of transparency of the lens can scatter light and cause glare or halos, especially at night.

Yes. In some cases, a cataract can cause double vision in one eye. It can also produce ghost images or distorted perception of objects. If double vision appears suddenly, an ophthalmological assessment is advisable to determine its cause.

As the lens loses transparency, it can take on a yellowish or brown tint that alters the perception of colors. This is why some people with cataracts perceive colors as less intense or duller. After surgery, colors may appear more vivid when looking through a clear intraocular lens.

Cataracts usually develop without causing pain. If there is significant eye pain together with reduced vision, redness or intense sensitivity to light, it is important to see an ophthalmologist quickly, as there may be another eye disease that requires attention.

During an examination to detect and assess a cataract, it may be necessary to dilate the pupil to properly examine the lens, retina and the rest of the inside of the eye. Dilation allows the ophthalmologist to carry out a more complete examination and rule out other causes of vision loss.

Cataracts do not grow like tissue; rather, the lens gradually loses its transparency. As the cloudiness increases, the symptoms may become more noticeable and the quality of vision may worsen.

There are currently no eye drops that have been shown to remove a cataract once it has formed. Glasses can improve vision in the early stages, but when the cataract causes significant vision loss, the definitive treatment is surgery.

In the early stages of a cataract, contact lenses can still be used if they provide adequate vision and there are no other contraindications. However, when the cataract significantly affects vision, changing the lens prescription may no longer be enough. In addition, before measurements are taken for cataract surgery, you may need to stop wearing them temporarily.