Cataracts are an eye condition characterized by the clouding of the eye’s natural lens and blurry vision. The condition happens when crystalline protein clumps build up in the eye’s lens. Cataract surgery can help make your vision clearer by replacing your cloudy lens with an intraocular lens.
Some common cataract symptoms include seeing halos around light sources, double vision, poor night vision, and faded or yellow-tinted vision. These problems contribute to other symptoms like migraine headaches that can cause cataracts to be confused with other medical conditions. Here are four medical conditions and symptoms that may be confused with this eye condition:
1. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition that progresses gradually as the optic nerve is damaged by infections, toxins, or trauma. A large cataract can cause pressure inside the eye and block the drainage channels. This increases the risk of glaucoma and symptoms like blindness and eye pain. Mature glaucoma can alter corneal thickness and increase the risks of glares and halos.
Common types of glaucoma with symptoms similar to cataracts include normal-tension, pigmentary, open-angle, and acute-angle glaucoma. Myopia, stress, age, hypothyroidism, and the use of steroids are some common risk factors for glaucoma. Drug therapies and surgical procedures like laser surgery help fix glaucoma and prevent vision loss.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus obstructs the normal structure of the eye lenses, increasing the risks of cataracts. The lens structure gets altered as sugar levels increase in the space between the lens and the cornea. As diabetes mellitus progresses, patients may experience vision fluctuation due to lens swelling.
High blood sugar levels cause the eye lens enzymes to become more active. Increased enzyme activity converts glucose to sorbitol, which builds up in the lens cells. Continued sorbitol accumulation damages the lens capsule and causes cataracts.
3. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure causes cataracts by affecting the structure of proteins in the eye’s lens. This may harden the affected lens and make it difficult for light to pass through to the retina. Hypertension damages retinal blood vessels and worsens cataracts in the early or immature stages.
Some symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy that may be confused with cataracts include double vision, severe headaches, and vision loss. If patients are experiencing these symptoms, an eye doctor may perform ophthalmoscopic examinations to check the condition of the lens and retina. Medications, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and dietary supplements help mitigate high blood pressure and cataract risks.
4. Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects older adults after their retinal macula breaks down. This eye disorder contributes to central vision loss, making it difficult for an affected individual to perform activities like driving and reading. Blurriness, difficulty seeing in low light, visual distortions, and increased light sensitivity are other symptoms of macular degeneration that are similar to cataracts. Smoking, age, stress, and obesity are common factors that increase the risks of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Macular degeneration can be dry or wet. Dry macular degeneration develops when the retinal macula becomes thin over time due to drusen build-up. Drusen are tiny yellow protein or lipid deposits that form within the macula. Wet macular degeneration develops when blood vessels grow under the retinal macula in abnormal positions and patterns. The continued blood vessel growth causes them to break and leak fluids that cause vision loss.
Benefits of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery provides long-lasting vision correction that enhances an individual’s quality of life. This restorative procedure reduces glares, reverses diplopia, and minimizes the risks of falls and injuries in aging adults. The procedure eliminates the need to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses. A cataract surgical procedure can positively impact color perception by allowing individuals to see and contrast brighter colors more easily.
Preparing for Surgery
An initial consultation allows an ophthalmologist to conduct a vision test, general health examination, and medical history assessment. These preoperative assessments help the surgeon determine whether you’re an ideal candidate for cataract surgery. Avoiding alpha-blocker medications before eye surgery helps prevent complications during the procedure, as the drugs may constrict the pupil or cause iris billowing. Removing contact lenses a day before the surgery prevents eye irritation and promotes a smoother procedure.
Book a Consultation Appointment
Cataracts and other medical conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration can have similar symptoms. If you’re experiencing blurred vision, glares, or diplopia, schedule a consultation with a reputable eye health specialist. An ophthalmologist will diagnose eye conditions and suggest appropriate solutions like cataract surgery. Contact an eye doctor today to learn more about treating cataracts.
