Cataract - symptoms

Read all important information about the eye disease cataract - symptoms at the beginning and in the further course of the disease!

Cataract - symptoms

One of the most common eye diseases in Germany is Cataract. symptoms are a deteriorating vision and increased glare sensitivity. At a later stage of the disease, colors and contrasts blur. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Here you can read all important information about the eye disease cataracts - symptoms at the beginning and in the further course of the disease.

ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally valid medical diagnosis codes. They are found e.g. in doctor's letters or on incapacity certificates. H28H25Q12H26

Product Overview

Cataract - Symptoms

  • Cataract: Symptoms at the beginning of the disease

  • Cataracts: symptoms in the further course

  • Cataracts: symptoms in the late stages

  • Cataracts: Symptoms also recognizable for relatives

  • Cataract: Symptoms of congenital cataract

  • Cataracts: take symptoms seriously

Cataract: Symptoms at the beginning of the disease

First, cataracts cause symptoms such as vision deterioration and fog in the center of the field of view: objects are perceived as out of focus, or appear to be hidden behind a veil that becomes denser over time. This fog spreads only in the course of the disease on the entire visual field. Individual and complete failures of the field of vision, as they occur in the case of a cataract, do not exist in cataracts, however.

Colors, contrasts and contours fade over time and seem to merge with each other. Spatial perception and thus orientation skills are worsening.

Often sufferers ignore the symptoms first, overplay them or attribute them to other causes such as tiredness. Especially in the gray age star symptoms are often attributed to a generally worsening general health and not a manifest eye disease such as cataracts.

Cataracts: symptoms in the further course

In the course of the disease, symptoms develop in cataracts, which can put a heavy burden on those affected in everyday life. This includes:

  • Increased glare sensitivity (such as in bright sunlight or flashlight)
  • indistinct perception
  • Effort while reading or watching TV
  • Uncertainty in traffic

These symptoms do not necessarily occur. In addition, they can be of varying severity in each patient.

Cataracts: symptoms in the late stages

In the late stage, symptoms of cataract occur which make a normal everyday life almost impossible. At first, sufferers see everything as if through a frosted glass, but within a short time, the visual performance can deteriorate so dramatically that it nearly goes blind.

If cataracts affect both eyes at the same time, affected people themselves can hardly assess the progressive deterioration in vision. For example, a disability for the road is often noticed late.

Cataracts: Symptoms also recognizable for relatives

However, cataracts do not only show themselves to the person concerned, but can also be noticed by family members and friends. Thus, people affected in the early stages of the disease are more uncertain, for example when driving or reading. A typical sign of this is a strained facial expression with, for example, a wrinkled forehead.

In later stages, the deterioration of vision can become so bad that affected people often resort to it, if you give them something or want to take something in their own hands. In addition, sufferers then take a long time to find their way in an unknown environment, often foreign and unknown regions are completely avoided. Even in your own home environment orientation becomes more difficult. Most people with cataracts tend to follow a meticulous order so that they can find everything again.

  • Image 1 of 12

    Eleven facts about the cataract

    The eye is one of the most important sense organs of man. It is all the more frightening when the sight begins to cloud over. The "gray star" is the most common disease of the eye lens and affects in old age almost every second. Here are eleven quick facts about the cataract.

  • Image 2 of 12

    lens opacity

    For the right perspective, the lens in the human eye is actually transparent. However, the lens fluid contained therein may change in composition, the lens begins to cloud. As a result visual acuity decreases. This apparition is called "Cataract".

  • Picture 3 of 12

    Star of "rigid look"

    The eye disease has nothing to do with the dazzling starling bird. Rather, the "star" refers to the fixed gaze that sufferers show when fully blinded. But do not worry, complete blindness is very rare in cataracts.Incidentally, the medical term for the disease, which doctors use above all, is "cataract".

  • Image 4 of 12

    Every second over 75

    Not in vain does the cataract count as an old-age disease: 14 percent of men and 23.5 percent of women aged 65 to 74 suffer from it. From the age of 75, the men are even 38 percent and the women every second. In total, nine out of ten disease cases are age-related.

  • Image 5 of 12

    risk factors

    There are several risk factors that favor the development of cataracts. These include, for example, UV radiation, smoking and alcoholism, diabetes and severe myopia.

  • Image 6 of 12

    Not just old age

    Not only old people get cataracts. The lens opacification can also have completely different causes. These include, for example, eye injuries or radiation exposure, diabetes, inflammation in the interior of the eye, defects in the lens metabolism and, in rare cases, medications (steroids) or drugs.

  • Picture 7 of 12

    Like through frosted glass

    The cataract develops slowly. Most patients initially complain that they feel slightly blinded in certain lighting conditions. This makes reading more exhausting, for example. Affected then gradually lose the ability to see spatially, contrasts and colors fade. After all, it seems like you're looking through milk glass. Pain does not cause suffering.

  • Picture 8 of 12

    Easy diagnosis

    A first indication of a lens opacity is the BrĂĽckner test. The ophthalmologist examines the eye with light. Normally this is reflected by the retina - turbidities of the lens appear as dark shadows. The physician then reaches for the slit lamp, which can be used to determine which layer of the lens is affected. Depending on the result, conclusions can be drawn about the causes and possible treatment options.

  • Picture 9 of 12

    Almost blind

    Without treatment, the disease usually progresses on and on, until in extreme cases the person concerned can only recognize patterns of his environment. Then the gray color of the lens becomes visible to others. This is particularly noticeable in photos because patients no longer have red "flash" eyes.

  • Picture 10 of 12

    Outpatient surgery

    There are no drugs that help against cataracts. Depending on how much the affected person feels impaired by the lens opacification in everyday life, there is the possibility of an operation with local anesthesia. The lens is replaced by an individually adapted, artificial lens. The procedure is so uncomplicated that in most cases it is performed on an outpatient basis. In more than 90 percent of patients, the vision is then much better.

  • Picture 11 of 12

    Forecast mostly good

    Most cataract surgery is without complications and the prognosis is good. However, this is only conditionally if at the same time other eye diseases occur in which the retina is affected. These include, for example, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinal diseases or glaucoma (glaucoma).

  • Image 12 of 12

    Once a year for precaution

    To recognize serious illnesses in time, recommends the professional association of ophthalmologists from the 40th Age once a year to take precaution. If they are discovered in time, especially the green star and the macular degeneration can be treated well - and prepare in a later due gray cataract surgery no problems.

Cataract: Symptoms of congenital cataract

A congenital cataract is usually caused by a specific genetic defect or by a viral infection of the mother during pregnancy (such as rubella). In such cases, the development of the eyes is disturbed from the beginning. Usually the affected children begin to squint. If you suspect such a development in your child, you should consult a doctor immediately. Only when cataracts are treated quickly in children, is it possible to develop the eyes normally with average good vision.

Cataracts: take symptoms seriously

Symptoms of cataracts, such as diminishing visual acuity, can vary in intensity with each patient and develop at different rates. The time at which cataracts are diagnosed mostly depends on how badly affected persons assess the symptoms in themselves, how strongly they feel impaired in everyday life and then go to the doctor.

The situation is different for professional groups, where sufficient eyesight is a prerequisite to be able to practice the work at all, for example, in the case of pilots or truck drivers. In such areas of activity, a regular eye test is required - this allows early detection of eye disease Cataract. symptoms are then often hardly pronounced.

Cataract - symptoms

FAQ - 💬

❓ What are the first signs of having cataracts?

👉 What are the symptoms of cataracts?

  • Your vision is cloudy or blurry.
  • Colors look faded.
  • You can't see well at night.
  • Lamps, sunlight, or headlights seem too bright.
  • You see a halo around lights.
  • You see double (this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)
  • You have to change the prescription for your glasses often.

❓ What is the main cause of cataract?

👉 Cataracts form when protein builds up in the lens of your eye and makes it cloudy. This keeps light from passing through clearly. It can cause you to lose some of your eyesight. There are many types of cataracts.

❓ What age do cataracts usually start?

👉 Age is the greatest risk factor for cataracts. Age-related cataracts may develop between 40 and 50 years old. Where you live. Recent studies have shown that people who live in high altitudes are more at risk of developing cataracts.

❓ What do early stage cataracts look like?

👉 Cataracts often appear to be almost a white or cloudy film forming on the eyeball. It may be visible to others or if in early stages or at the back of the eye it may not. Cataracts are caused by the proteins in the eye clumping and causing the cloudy film.

👉 Cataracts aren’t painful. You’ll know you need to get your eyes checked if, along with clouded vision, the world around you just doesn’t look the way it should. It’s hard to see at night. You’re sensitive to light. Light sources have “ halos .” You see things in twos, and they may overlap ( double or ghosted vision ).

❓ What are cataracts and how do they affect vision?

👉 Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of your eye, which is normally clear. Most cataracts develop slowly over time, causing symptoms such as blurry vision. Cataracts can be surgically removed through an outpatient procedure that restores vision in nearly everyone. What is a cataract?

❓ What are the symptoms of Nuclear cataracts?

👉 Those with nuclear cataracts may briefly see their vision improve. This sensation is sometimes called “second sight.” As cataracts become more advanced, they begin to darken with a yellow or brown tinge. This begins to affect night vision and makes certain nighttime activities, such as driving, more difficult.

❓ Is light sensitivity a symptom of cataracts?

👉 Light sensitivity is a common symptom of cataracts. The glare of bright lights can be painful, especially to those with posterior subcapsular cataracts, according to the Mayo Clinic.


Like This? Share With Friends: