Cataracts usually develop slowly and although symptoms
vary there are some symptoms that most people
experience. Most people will eventually develop a
cataract in both eyes, though one eye may be affected
before the other. When your cataract starts to develop,
you may feel your sight is not quite right. For example, if
you wear glasses you may feel that your lenses are dirty,
even when they are clean. Gradually, you may find your
sight becomes cloudier and more washed out. Edges of
stairs or steps become more difficult to see and you may
feel you need a lot more light to read smaller print.
Another common symptom of a cataract is a problem
with bright lights. Lights can seem to glare, or you may
find that the headlights of a car dazzle you more than
they used to. You may also notice a slight change in your
colour vision – things may appear more yellow than
before. This often happens if one eye develops a cataract
first and colours look different when you compare one
eye with the other.
If you notice any of these changes, you should have your
eyes examined by an optometrist (optician) who will be
able to tell whether you have a cataract or not. The
optometrist will then discuss how badly the cataract is
affecting your vision and, if you agree, refer you via your
7
8
GP to the eye clinic. You may be told during this eye
examination that you have early cataract or initial signs
of a cataract which does not need referral. If you are
unsure about anything during your eye examination then
ask to have it explained. Eye examinations are free for
everyone in Scotland and for everyone over sixty years
old in the UK. Many other people also qualify for free
eye examinations.
If a cataract is not removed, your sight will become
increasingly cloudy. Eventually, it will be like trying to see
through a frosted window or a heavy net curtain or fog.
Even if your cataract gets to this stage, it can still be
removed and your sight may be the same or almost the
same as it was before the cataract developed.