Symptoms of cataracts

As cataracts develop over many years,problems may be unnoticeable at first. Cataracts often develop in both eyes, although each eye may be affected differently.

You'll usually have blurred, cloudy or misty vision, or you may have small spots or patches where your vision is less clear.

Cataracts may also affect your sight in the following ways:

  • you may find it more difficult to see in dim or very bright light
  • the glare from bright lights may be dazzling or uncomfortable to look at
  • colours may look faded or less clear
  • everything may have a yellow or brown tinge
  • you may have Double vision
  • you may see a halo (a circle of light) around bright lights, such as car headlights or street lights
  • if you wear glasses, you may find that they become less effective over time

Cataracts aren't painful and don't irritate your eyes or make them red.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018