The decision is based on vision and daily life
Cataracts can make vision blurry or hazy, fade colors, increase glare and halos, make night driving harder or cause frequent prescription changes. Because those symptoms can also have other causes, a dilated eye examination helps determine how much of the problem is coming from the lens.
Early cataract symptoms may sometimes be managed with a new prescription, improved lighting or glare control. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract, and it is generally considered when the cataract interferes with activities that matter to you or prevents appropriate examination or treatment of another eye condition.
What a cataract is
A cataract is clouding within the eye's natural lens. Most cataracts develop with age, but diabetes, steroid use, injury and other factors can affect risk.
Symptoms can overlap with other problems
Blur, glare, halos, faded colors and night-driving difficulty can come from cataracts or other eye conditions. A dilated examination helps identify the source.
Early management
A prescription update, brighter task lighting, glare control or magnification may improve function while a cataract is mild.
When surgery enters the conversation
Referral is generally considered when the cataract interferes with reading, driving, work or other important activities, or when lens clouding obstructs care for another eye condition.
Coordination before and after surgery
Tatum Eyecare can evaluate the cataract, help determine when referral is appropriate and coordinate with the surgeon for indicated pre- or postoperative care.
At a glance
- Cloudy, blurry or hazy vision
- Faded colors or reduced contrast
- Glare, halos or increased light sensitivity
- More difficulty seeing at night
- Frequent eyeglass-prescription changes
- Discussion of surgical referral when daily activities are affected
Good questions deserve clear answers.
What does vision with cataracts feel like?
Cataracts may cause cloudy or hazy vision, faded colors, glare, halos, night-driving difficulty or frequent prescription changes. These symptoms can also have other causes.
Do cataracts always require immediate surgery?
No. Surgery is often delayed until the cataract interferes with important daily activities or prevents needed care for another eye condition.
Can eye drops remove a cataract?
No currently established eye drop removes a cataract. Surgery is the only way to remove the clouded natural lens.
Does Tatum Eyecare perform cataract surgery?
No. Tatum Eyecare evaluates and monitors cataracts and coordinates referral and appropriate follow-up with a cataract surgeon when surgery is indicated.