Cataracts slowly cause the natural lens inside the eye to thicken and turn yellow. Since this happens over many years, most people do not notice the subtle changes. However, once the cataracts affect daily activities, most people will mention vision changes to their eye doctor. If the doctor notes the presence of cataracts, and the patient notices changes, the doctor may recommend cataract surgery.
Glare
Glare is one of the first noticeable signs of worsening cataracts. Many people with cataracts have a difficult time driving at night due to the glare from headlights, saying that the headlights seem to have a starburst appearance, or a halo. The glare conditions result from the advancing cataract not allowing light to enter the back of the eye properly.
Vision
As the cataract continues to worsen, vision will become noticeably blurry. Some people find they can no longer read or do close-up work, such as sewing or tying fishing flies. Other people may need extra or direct light in order to accomplish these tasks, says the National Eye Institute. Many people schedule an eye exam to update their glasses prescription, and, in some cases, an updated prescription may improve vision for a short time. However, as the cataracts increase, the prescription needs will continue to change, until the person will have to consider cataract surgery if she wants to improve vision.
Color
Cataracts turn the natural lens a yellow or brownish color, says the National Eye Institute. Since the cataract happens slowly, the color change may not be noticeable. Over time, the progressing change in lens color may cause difficulty in distinguishing colors. For people who paint or have other jobs or hobbies that require color distinction, they will likely notice that they cannot perceive color as they need to. Other people may not notice the difference until after cataract surgery.
Double Vision
The cataract forms when protein inside the lens changes and clumps together, says the National Eye Institute. In advanced stages of cataract, some people have double, or multiple vision resulting from looking through the cataract. Often, the double vision occurs only in one eye since the cataract in each eye will grow differently. A new eyeglass prescription will not improve this type of vision change, and the doctor will recommend cataract surgery.
