Developing cataracts is common as people get older. Cataracts form when proteins in your eyes break down and form opacities, which can affect your vision. You might not realize you have cataracts at first, but these opacifications can end up impairing your vision over time. As they get worse, you might have a hard time doing your regular activities or daily tasks.

Cataract surgery offers a safe and reliable way to improve your vision that involves removing the affected lens and replacing it with an artificial one. However, this type of surgery usually isn’t done immediately when opacities start to form. Instead, cataract surgery is typically done when cataracts interfere with your vision and your daily life. The following signs might indicate that you should discuss having cataract surgery with your eye doctor.

 Difficulty Reading in Adequate Lighting

As cataracts grow, they can make it harder for you to read. While you might have trouble reading in dimly lit rooms, cataracts can make it difficult to read even in rooms with adequate lighting. If you struggle to read when there’s plenty of light, you might need to consider cataract surgery.

Glasses No Longer Work

When you depend on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, cataracts can make this hard to do. As these opacities worsen, your vision might become blurry, even with your glasses on or contact lenses in. Cataracts distort your vision, making it difficult to see clearly with or without corrective lenses. You should have your eyes checked as soon as possible if you’re experiencing blurry vision. Cataract surgery can help improve your vision, so you can see clearly with corrective lenses again.

Big Change in Glasses’ Prescription

Having your lens prescription change as you get older is considered normal. However, drastic or frequent changes can be a sign that it’s time to discuss cataract surgery with your optometrist. As cataracts get worse, they’ll reach a point where you won’t be able to see clearly with your corrective lenses.

Increased Sensitivity to Glare off Shiny Surfaces

Having a higher sensitivity to glare than you did before can mean that you should think about cataract surgery. Cataracts can make your eyes more sensitive to glare from shiny surfaces around you. This can be uncomfortable and even become dangerous, such as when glare sensitivity interferes with your ability to drive safely.

Trouble with Night Driving

It’s not just glare from the sun that makes driving dangerous when you have cataracts. Driving at night can also become unsafe, since cataracts cause you to see halos around lights. These halos can make it difficult for you to see when you’re driving at night, which can increase your risk of getting into an accident. You should avoid driving at night if you’re having a hard time seeing until you have cataract surgery done.

Difficulty Doing Tasks and Activities

Cataracts can cause changes in your vision that make it hard or even impossible to do certain tasks or enjoy your usual activities. For example, you might find it difficult to prepare meals or handle other household tasks. As cataracts grow, they can also make it hard to go for walks or do other physical activities due to vision impairment. You might have a hard time doing hobbies as well, such as painting or gardening, when you can’t see clearly.

Yellowish or Brownish Tint

Cataracts have a yellowish or brownish tint, which can affect the way you see colors as they grow larger. When cataracts grow and spread, the colors you see might have a brown or yellow tint. This can make it hard to see small details on objects around you or affect the way you see movies or TV shows.

If you’ve experienced any signs that you might need cataract surgery, please contact Garibaldi Eye Care for an appointment. Our optometrists in downtown Squamish can examine your eyes and determine if cataract surgery might be right for improving your vision.