People aged 40 and over commonly experience cataracts. This condition occurs when the eye’s natural lens takes on a cloudy color due to old age, exposure to excessive sunlight, or certain medications. Cataracts can complicate normal vision and make previously effortless tasks and activities challenging. Look out for the following signs to determine if this condition is affecting you.

How Can You Tell If You’re Developing Cataracts?

1. Blurry or Clouded Vision

Cataracts block the entry of light to the pupil, thus causing objects to appear blurry or making certain colors appear muted or washed out. Since the clouding of the lens will increase slowly over time, the problem will become worse, although the change may be imperceptible. However, this problem can make it challenging to complete everyday tasks, so it's crucial to reach out to an optometrist as soon as you notice anything. 

2. Increased Sensitivity to Light

When the lens becomes cloudy, light may be diffused as it enters the eye. This issue makes it more challenging for the iris to control the amount of light that enters the pupil, making people with cataracts more sensitive to bright or glaring lights. People with posterior subcapsular cataracts may also experience this issue. This condition involves a small opaque spot forming on the back of the lens directly between the pupil and the path of light.

3. Distracting Halos

Abnormalities in the lens can cause light to diffract or bend around objects in someone's visual range. As a result, people with cloudy lenses may see rings of bright light around direct light sources. These rings are also known as “halos,” and they can be perceived in various colors. However, they can make activities like driving at night more challenging or even hazardous. Fortunately, an optometrist can diagnose this issue and treat it for your convenience and safety. 

If you’re concerned that cataracts may be affecting your vision, schedule an examination with the team at Graham Optical in Fort Smith and Greenwood, AR. Since 1964, these optometrists have provided comprehensive eye care services to patients throughout western Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, and the Arkansas River Valley area. Dr. Calvin Graham and his team of caring professionals will draw on years of experience and use the latest technology to diagnose and recommend treatment plans for a wide range of eye conditions. Call (479) 782-6737 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services.