Cataracts affect more than 24 million Americans over age 40, and by age 75, nearly half of all adults have some degree of cataract development. While it’s a common part of aging, that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Left untreated, cataracts can significantly impair your daily life—and even lead to preventable vision loss.
At Dr. Chinn's Vision Care in San Diego, we want to help you catch the signs early. Cataract Awareness Month is the perfect time to learn about the red flags and take proactive steps toward protecting your vision.
What is a Cataract?
It's a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which should normally be clear. This cloudiness develops gradually and can affect one or both eyes. Over time, it interferes with how light reaches your retina—blurring vision, altering color perception, and causing glare.
Cataracts aren’t painful, and they don’t happen overnight. That’s why knowing what to look for is key to early detection and effective treatment.
5 Vision Changes You Should Never Ignore
Cataracts often develop slowly, which makes it easy to dismiss the early symptoms as simple aging or just “bad lighting.” But catching the signs early can help you preserve your vision and maintain your quality of life. Here are five cataract symptoms you should never ignore:
1. Cloudy or Blurry Vision
This is the most common and obvious sign. Vision may seem like you’re looking through a foggy window or smeared glass. If your current glasses aren’t making things clearer, it’s time for an eye exam.
2. Increased Sensitivity to Light and Glare
Bright sunlight or oncoming headlights at night might feel more intense or uncomfortable. Some people even report a “halo” effect around lights. This sensitivity can make driving, especially at night, increasingly difficult.
3. Frequent Prescription Changes
Do you need new glasses more often than usual? While mild vision changes are normal with age, frequent shifts may indicate a growing cataract that’s distorting your vision.
4. Faded Colors or Yellowed Vision
Cataracts can dull your color perception, making whites look yellowish and colors appear less vibrant. You may not even notice it until someone points it out—another reason why regular eye exams are so important.
5. Double Vision in One Eye
If you’re seeing ghosted images or double vision only in one eye, it could be an early sign of cataract. This symptom may come and go initially, but it becomes more noticeable as the cataract matures.
Can You Prevent Cataracts?
While age is the biggest risk factor, you can slow progression by:
- Wearing UV-protective sunglasses (yes, even on cloudy days)
- Managing diabetes and other health conditions
- Quitting smoking
- Eating antioxidant-rich foods (think leafy greens and berries)
- Scheduling annual eye exams, especially after age 60
At Dr. Chinn's Vision Care, we use advanced imaging and diagnostics to detect even the earliest signs—often before symptoms start.
What Should You Do If Your Optometrist Diagnoses You with Cataracts?
A cataract diagnosis doesn’t mean you’ll need surgery right away. In fact, many people live with mild cataracts for years. We’ll monitor your vision and adjust your care plan based on your lifestyle, goals, and how much the condition is affecting your daily life.
When the time is right, we’ll co-manage your cataract surgery with trusted local surgeons, ensuring you get safe, expert care from start to finish.
Protect Your Sight—Book an Eye Exam in San Diego, CA
Cataracts don’t have to sneak up on you. If you’re over 50, noticing visual changes, or haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam in the last year, now is the time to act.
At Dr. Chinn's Vision Care, we believe that protecting your vision means seeing the signs—and treating them early. Schedule an appointment with us and let’s keep your future clear and your vision focused—for Cataract Awareness Month and beyond.