Cataracts are eye diseases that mostly affect aged adults after proteins in their eye lenses break down. When this happens, protein clumps form and cloud the lens, hindering the natural light from reaching the patient’s retina, which is responsible for clear vision. Visiting a professional eye doctor once you start experiencing signs of blurred vision can help you get correct, timely diagnoses and treatments. Since cataracts are gradual and painless at the start, understanding more about them can help you seek diagnosis early and reduce the risks of becoming blind. Here is what cataracts are and how an eye specialist can diagnose them:
Types of Cataracts
Cataracts come in various types with unique characteristics, such as their effects on the eyes and their underlying causes. Cortical cataracts interfere with the cortex, the outer layer of the eye lens, found at the nucleus edges. This condition damages the fiber cells and hydration in the cortex, causing halos when looking at bright lights. A burn or an injury may cause traumatic cataracts, where the fiber cell and other structures in various parts of the lens are damaged. Nuclear sclerosis cataracts affect the center part of the eye lens, known as the nucleus. When this condition progresses, the clumping proteins cause the nucleus to harden slowly and turn brown or dense yellow. Posterior capsular, secondary, and radiation cataracts are other conditions an eye doctor can diagnose and treat.
Symptoms of Cataracts
A common sign that you may be having this eye condition is developing blurred vision. This is when you’re unable to see things in finer detail, making it hard to drive at night or even read. When you have cataracts, your eye lens tends to scatter natural light instead of directing it to the retina. The scattering causes the lens to develop sensitivity to light with time, which can make your eyes uncomfortable and hinder your ability to visually focus. Because of the scattered natural light in the lens, you may start seeing various bright colors as dull or even faded. This interferes with color perception, often making it difficult to differentiate between shades. The cloudiness that affects the eye lenses of people with cataracts may also cause them to experience double vision.
Stages of Cataracts
Cataracts progress through various stages, including early, immature, mature, and hypermature stages. Each of these stages comes with distinct symptoms. During the early stage, the vision isn’t affected much because there is less clumping and clouding by proteins in the lens. The immature stage is when the vision starts to become blurry, especially when you’re in places with less light. Mature stages of cataracts are characterized by glares, halos, and double vision, making it challenging to do various activities. The hypermature stage is when most parts of the eye lens have been affected, causing the entire eye to appear brownish or cloudy.
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Diagnoses for Cataracts
Before performing any eye test to determine the problem, an optometrist will likely start with a comprehensive eye assessment. The examination includes checking your medical history for underlying issues, medications, and vision issues. Once the optometrist conducts this assessment, they may recommend one of the following diagnoses for cataracts:
Visual Acuity Test
An optometrist performs this test to check your ability to see different objects or details from varying distances. During the test, the doctor may require you to read particular letters or numbers written on a chart with something covering one eye. The optometrist could conclude that you have cataracts if you experience foggy vision that prevents you from seeing what’s written clearly.
Slit Lamp Examination
A slit lamp is a small microscope device with an adequate source of light to enable the optometrist to see your eye lens clearly. The device allows the eye specialist to check for lens shape changes, swelling, protein clumps, and other abnormalities that may signify cataracts. Detailed information from this examination can help an eye care specialist know the type of cataract you have.
Tonometry Test
An eye care specialist may perform this test during cataract diagnoses to check for extra pressure inside your eye lenses. Intraocular pressure may come from trauma after an impact or from other eye conditions like glaucoma. Tonometry, or an eye puff test, is a simple and quick procedure that allows an optometrist to find other problems alongside cataracts.
Visit an Eye Doctor Today
The commonality of cataracts among some patients comes from age, smoking, eye injuries, and underlying health conditions like diabetes. Visiting an optometrist early allows for proper examination and diagnosis, which can determine the particular cataract you have. This can help your eye care specialist to tailor medications and treatments to address the problem quickly. Contact an eye doctor today for quality, safe, and affordable cataract diagnosis and treatment.
