What is a common symptom of cataracts?

Blurry vision at any distance is a well-known symptom of cataracts. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes clouded, leading to a reduction in the clarity of vision. This clouding can obstruct and scatter light as it enters the eye, resulting in images appearing blurry or distorted regardless of how far away the object is.

Patients may initially experience difficulties with near vision but as the cataract progresses, it affects distance vision as well, leading to a constant blurriness that typically worsens over time. This symptom is very common and often prompts individuals to seek eye examinations where the presence of cataracts can be diagnosed.

Increased sensitivity to light can also be a symptom associated with cataracts, but it is not as universally recognized as blurry vision, which is often one of the first indicators noticed by individuals. Severe headaches and complete loss of vision are not common early signs of cataracts; while vision impairment can lead to headaches or potentially severe vision reduction in advanced cases, these symptoms generally do not represent the initial experiences of those with cataracts.