Understanding Cataracts:
Types and Symptoms

A cataract is a condition where the eye's natural lens becomes progressively cloudy with age. This cloudiness, caused by proteins in the lens breaking down and clumping together, can sometimes appear as a milky-white or brownish area in the pupil. This process scatters and blocks light from reaching the retina, preventing a sharp image from forming.

Cataracts are painless but can gradually impair your sight, making everyday activities difficult. While they worsen over time, effective treatments such as surgery can restore clear vision and improve quality of life.

Cataracts can affect anyone, but certain factors increase the risk of developing them. Common causes and risk factors include:

• Ageing: As people get older, the proteins in the lens naturally begin to break down and clump together, causing the clouding of the cataract. This is the most common cause of cataracts.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the eye’s lens and contribute to the formation of cataracts.
• UV Exposure: Long-term, unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can harm the lens and increase risk.
• Medications: Prolonged use of certain drugs, particularly corticosteroids, may contribute to cataract development.

Cataracts usually develop slowly, so you might not notice any symptoms at first. They can affect one or both eyes. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Blurry or Cloudy Vision: Your vision may become hazy, dim or "fogged up," as if you are looking through a dirty window. This can make it difficult to read, drive at night or see faces clearly.
• Glare and Halos: You may become sensitive to light and glare, seeing "halos" or streaks around lights, especially at night.
• Faded Colours: Colours may seem less vibrant and, in some cases, appear to be tinged with yellow or brown.
• Difficulty with Night Vision: As the lens becomes cloudier, less light reaches the retina, making it hard to see in low-light conditions.
• Double Vision in One Eye: A cataract can sometimes cause you to see two images of a single object when looking with the affected eye.
• Frequent Prescription Changes: If your eyeglass or contact lens prescription changes more often than usual, it may be a sign of a developing cataract.

While the condition is generally painless, the progression of symptoms can significantly impact your daily life. If these symptoms persist, it is crucial to seek professional medical advice.

Some cataracts progress slowly, while others can interfere with vision more quickly, making a timely diagnosis essential. Understanding the types of cataract can help with early detection and management.

• Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts: This is the most common age-related type, forming deep in the lens's central nucleus. The lens gradually hardens and turns yellow or brown, progressing slowly over many years.
• Cortical Cataracts: Often linked to diabetes, these form in the outer layer of the lens (cortex) and appear as white, wedge-shaped streaks moving toward the centre. They cause issues with glare, contrast and depth perception.
• Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts: This type is associated with diabetes, long-term steroid use or extreme nearsightedness. These develop at the back of the lens and progress quickly, often causing glare, halos and trouble reading.
• Anterior Subcapsular Cataracts: These cataracts form beneath the front lens capsule and are usually caused by inflammation, trauma or other eye conditions.
• Congenital Cataracts: Present at birth or during early childhood, congenital cataracts are caused by genetics, pregnancy infections or metabolic issues. Large or vision-affecting cataracts require early surgery to prevent lazy eye (amblyopia).
• Traumatic Cataracts: These cataracts result from eye injuries, certain medications or surgeries. They may appear soon after the incident or develop gradually over time.
• Secondary Cataracts (Posterior Capsular Opacification): This is not a true cataract, but a common post-surgery complication where the lens capsule becomes cloudy. It can be quickly corrected with a laser procedure.

Cataracts may vary depending on each patient’s health history. Hence, it is advised to consult an eye specialist for a more appropriate diagnosis and medical guidance.

During your consultation, the ophthalmologist will classify your cataract's progression into one of three stages based on its effect on your vision.

If you notice any cataract symptoms impacting your daily activities, it is time to see an eye specialist. Regular eye exams are also vital for early detection, as they allow for the identification of cataracts before they cause further vision problems.

During a consultation, your doctor will assess the type of cataract you have and, if necessary, recommend a treatment plan. Cataract surgery is a routine, 30-minute outpatient procedure with a high success rate, and recovery usually takes 4–8 weeks.

Taking control of your vision starts with a professional evaluation. For an accurate and personalised assessment, you can book a cataract consultation with Dr Cordelia Chan. Contact our clinic today for cataract diagnosis and treatment.