“I’m healthy, will I still get cataracts?”
We hear this from time to time and the answer is “Is your healthy lifestyle stopping you from aging?”. Cataracts are generally a product of age. You can exercise, get plenty of rest and eat healthy but your healthy lifestyle does not improve your chances against cataracts. There are some hereditary issues as well as degenerative diseases that can cause cataracts, especially prematurely. But most cataracts are the result of aging. Think of them as the “gray hair” of the eyes
So now that we’ve covered it can happen to anyone, here are some of the signs a cataract surgeon will tell you to look out for. And, the earlier you catch cataracts, the better. First, understand that the changes are gradual. You won’t wake up one day and have cataracts. They will have grown over time. So, once you admit you will most likely get cataracts during your lifetime, here are some of the signs to look out for.
Some of the early changes may include the lens slowly changing to a yellowish/brownish tint. This will add a brown tint to vision leading to trouble distinguishing blues and purples. The next are the changes you probably are most familiar with and have been told to look out for including blurred or double vision and frequent changes in prescription glasses and contact lenses. You may even have trouble with driving at night due to night glare or halos.
Keep in mind that some of the changes and issues mentioned above could also be a sign of more serious problems. As soon as you have any changes in your vision, you should immediately get to your eye doctor or cataract surgeon for a full exam. Upon turning 60, you should start to get a full exam every two years. Regular exams will help to avoid eye problems by catching them early.
