Is your vision getting cloudy or blurry? Is it difficult to read print? Are vivid colors actually duller than they were when you were younger? Are you struggling to see well enough to drive comfortably at night? You may be experiencing the beginning stages of cataracts.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens (not a growth) that blocks the lens from being able to focus light on the retina. It is the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 50. Presently, cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 50 and older. And, as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to develop cataracts by the year 2020, according to Prevent Blindness America.

What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Because cataracts typically develop slowly over the course of time, most people don’t realize the lens in the eye is even affected until their vision starts to become dull or blurry.

The most common cataract symptoms include:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Colors seem faded
• Glare or halos appear around headlights, lamps and in bright sun
• Double vision
• Frequent vision prescription changes

When a cataract begins to affect your ability to perform day-to-day tasks, that’s when treatment is required.