It is likely this problem has reached its advanced stage once double vision a frequent symptom and a clouded lens is more noticeable. Treatment for many patients involves surgically replacing the clouded lens with an artificial one. The process is relatively simple and painless for most. Referring a patient? Start here. Find YES Doctor. How Fast Does a Cataract Develop? Early Cataract Stages At first, most patients begin to notice the early signs, such as: Slightly blurred vision Faded colors Deteriorating night vision Halos appear around light sources Increased glare Double vision Small cataracts tend to develop slowly.
Slow-growing vs. Additional types of fast-growing cataracts Certain conditions and incidents can lead to cataract development and create their own less-common type of aggressive, fast-growing cataracts. Diabetes : These cataracts, also called diabetic snowflakes because of their shape and gray and white opacity, are fast-developing cataracts.
These occur when an enzyme converts too much glucose into sorbitol, which affects lens clarity. Trauma : Trauma-related cataracts occur when your eye has endured either blunt or penetrating trauma that disrupts your lens fibers. Trauma-related cataracts are typically the most fast-growing type of cataracts. Radiation : Radiation-related cataracts, sometimes listed under trauma-related cataracts, occur after the lens has been exposed to radiation.
Exposure to high levels of radiation can result in clouded vision in as little as two years. Exposure to lower levels of radiation can take over a decade to affect vision. Counteract your cataracts Eye Center of Texas has given thousands of Houstonians clear and renewed vision. Related Articles Cataracts. Financing Options Available Apply today to find a financing option that meets your needs.
Secondary cataracts have also been linked to steroid use. Traumatic cataracts. An injury to one or both eyes may cause you to develop a traumatic cataract. This can happen either right after the accident or several years later. Although experts don't know for sure what causes cataracts, they think there could be several possible causes including:.
For many of the possible causes, more research is needed to set apart the effect of the disease from the effect of the medicines. 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.
Too much sun exposure. People who spend more time in the sun may develop cataracts sooner than others. The following are the most common symptoms of cataracts. However, each person may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:. Often in the disease's early stages, you may not notice any changes in your vision. Since cataracts tend to grow slowly, your eyesight will get worse slowly.
Certain cataracts can also cause your close-up vision to get better for a short time. But your eyesight is likely to get worse as the cataract grows. The symptoms of cataracts may look like other eye conditions. Talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Visual acuity test. The common eye chart test that measures vision ability at many distances.
Pupil dilation. The pupil is widened with eye drops to allow a close-up exam of the eye's retina. In addition, other tests may be done to help your eye care professional learn more about the health and structure of your eye. The symptoms of cataracts sometimes look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. In its early stages, loss of eyesight caused by a cataract may be helped with the use of different eyeglasses, a magnifying glass, or stronger lighting.
When these actions are no longer helpful, surgery is the only effective treatment available. A cataract only needs to be removed when loss of eyesight gets in the way of your everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV.
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