Signs of Cataracts: What to Watch For and When to Act

What a cataract is

The lens inside your eye is normally clear. A cataract is a cloudy area in that lens, and it builds up slowly with age. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them.

Signs to watch for

Early cataracts usually cause no symptoms. As they grow, the NEI lists these signs:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Colors that look faded
• Trouble seeing well at night
• Lamps, sunlight or headlights that seem too bright
• A halo around lights
• Double vision, which sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger
• Needing to change your glasses or contact lens prescription often

The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that trouble seeing or driving at night can be one of the first symptoms. Our guide to glare and night vision covers that in more detail.

Who’s at higher risk

Risk rises with age. The NEI says it’s also higher if you:

• Have diabetes or certain other health problems
• Smoke or drink too much alcohol
• Have a family history of cataracts
• Have had an eye injury, eye surgery or radiation treatment
• Have spent a lot of time in the sun
• Take steroid medicines

Getting checked

An eye doctor can find cataracts during a dilated eye exam. The NEI recommends that people 60 and older get a dilated eye exam every one to two years, which also checks for other age-related problems such as macular degeneration.

When surgery makes sense

Early on, new glasses or contact lenses can help you see better for a while. Surgery, which removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial one, is the only way to get rid of a cataract. The NEI says your doctor might suggest it when cataracts start getting in the way of everyday activities like reading, driving or watching TV.

Lowering your risk

The NEI suggests these steps:

• Wear sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block the sun.
• Wear protective eyewear to avoid eye injuries.
• Quit smoking.
• Eat plenty of healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, nuts and whole grains.

Can supplements prevent cataracts?

The best test so far says no. In the AREDS2 trial, daily lutein and zeaxanthin had no overall effect on the rate of cataract surgery or vision loss over about five years. The one hint of benefit was in people who ate the least lutein and zeaxanthin to begin with, which is a good argument for leafy greens rather than for a pill.

That’s why we don’t recommend a supplement for cataracts. If you’re interested in eye supplements for other reasons, our guide to AREDS vs AREDS2 explains where the evidence is strongest.