Common Signs of Keratoconus
Vision changes — blurry, cloudy, or other vision issues — can stop you in your tracks. This month, learn the signs of keratoconus, an eye disorder that can impair your vision if left untreated.
5 Symptoms of Cataracts You Should Know
When your vision is healthy, the clear part of your eye known as the lens helps focus the light entering your eye to create crisp images in your retina. But when you have a cataract, the tissue of your lens grows cloudy, causing your vision to blur, dim, or become dull.
You can develop cataracts for a variety of reasons, but the most common are due to aging. Cataracts usually progress slowly, which can make them hard to notice in their early stages. But in Rapid City, South Dakota, Dr. Stephen Khachikian can help you identify the five most common signs that indicate the presence of cataracts.
Sensitivity to light
If you’re experiencing light sensitivity, it could be due to cataracts. In fact, sometimes cataracts can cause the glare of a bright light to even be painful. This specific symptom is especially common if you have a cataract that starts towards the back of your lens, blocking light from reaching your retina.
Halos
A clean lens focuses the light passing through your eye. When your lens grows cloudy, it can cause the light entering your eye to diffract or disburse. In these cataract cases, you might notice rings or halos around light sources. These visual disturbances can appear in a variety of colors and impact your ability to drive safely at night.
Worsening eyesight
If you find yourself constantly buying stronger reading glasses, cataracts could be to blame for the rapid deterioration of your vision. As clumps of protein buildup on your lens, less light can reach your retina, which causes your vision to blur. Because cataracts rarely stay small, it’s common for your sight to become consistently worse, growing duller or blurrier.
Double vision
You can develop double vision, or diplopia, for several reasons. But, when it’s due to a lens problem, cataracts are the most common cause. This symptom describes seeing two images at the same time, either side-by-side, one on top of the other, or a combination of both. When you have double vision while covering one of your eyes, it’s known as monocular double vision and often a sign of a cataract.
Color changes
As a cataract grows worse, the protein building up on your lens can become brownish or yellow in color. These changes can tint the light passing through your eye, causing everything to have a yellowish tinge. It’s common for people with cataracts to have difficulty not only seeing color but also differentiating between different shades.
If you suspect you may have cataracts, call Stephen Khachikian, MD, or schedule an appointment online today to start seeing clearer.
You Might Also Enjoy...
When to See a Specialist About Your Cataract Symptoms
Has your vision changed lately? Is it challenging to see at night? Perhaps the world looks cloudy. You may need to think about cataract surgery. Check out these cataract symptoms that tell you it’s time for an eye checkup.
Healing From Cornea Surgery: What to Expect
You’re scheduled for cornea surgery, and you’ve learned about the procedure — but you’re wondering about recovery. How long will you be out of work? Will your vision be restored? Read on to learn what to expect after this delicate eye surgery.
It Seems Like I'm Looking Through Clouds. What's Wrong With My Eyesight?
The world no longer looks bright to you — it’s as if a button for vision “contrast” is turned off and colors are more muted. Cloudy vision means it’s time to see an eye specialist.
3 Types of Vision Problems That Respond Well to Refractive Surgery
Do you have a driving need or desire to be free of the glasses you’ve worn for years? Three common vision problems — nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism — all improve dramatically with refractive surgery.
What's the Difference Between LASIK and PRK?
If you’re tired of wearing glasses, you may want to investigate vision surgery. You’ve heard that LASIK is a fairly simple and effective procedure. However, not everyone is eligible. Learn about PRK, which is an alternative.