Causes and symptoms of cataracts in the eye

Cataracts, also known as clouding of the eye lens, are among the most common eye problems associated with aging. They occur when the natural lens of the eye gradually loses its transparency, leading to blurred vision, poor color perception, light sensitivity, and difficulty driving at night.

Cataract symptoms do not always appear suddenly. They may develop slowly over months or years. Therefore, early eye examination helps assess the condition and determine the right time for treatment before the problem clearly affects daily life.

Dr. Fouad El-Sayyad, Consultant of Corneal Surgeries and Vision Correction, carefully evaluates each case, explains the suitable treatment options, and chooses the type of intraocular lens and surgical plan based on the patient’s needs and eye condition.

In this article, we will discuss the most important causes and symptoms of cataracts in the eye, their types, when surgery is needed, whether cataracts can be treated with eye drops, and the latest surgical techniques used to treat cataracts.

The Main Causes of Cataracts in the Eye

The causes of cataracts in the eye are varied, but the most common cause is aging. With age, the proteins of the natural lens gradually change, causing the lens to lose its transparency and become cloudy.

However, there are other factors that may increase the likelihood of cataracts or accelerate their progression, including:

Aging

Aging is the main cause of cataracts in the eye. Over time, the eye lens becomes less transparent and more prone to protein accumulation, which gradually leads to blurred vision. Therefore, cataract surgery for elderly patients is one of the most common eye surgeries when lens opacity affects vision quality.

Cataracts may start mildly without significantly affecting vision, then gradually worsen until glasses alone are no longer enough to improve eyesight.

Chronic Diseases Such as Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the factors that may increase the risk of developing cataracts at an earlier age, especially if blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled for long periods.

High blood sugar may affect the eye lens and accelerate clouding. Therefore, diabetic patients need regular eye follow-up, along with good blood sugar control to reduce eye complications in general.

Continuous Exposure to Ultraviolet Rays Without Protection

Long-term exposure to sunlight without proper protection may increase the risk of lens changes over time. Therefore, it is recommended to wear good sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays when going out in the sun.

This does not mean that sunlight alone causes cataracts in everyone, but it is one of the factors whose effect can be reduced by following simple protective measures.

Long-Term Use of Corticosteroids

Using corticosteroid medications for long periods, whether as tablets, injections, or eye drops in some cases, may increase the likelihood of cataract formation.

Therefore, corticosteroids should be used under medical supervision. They should not be stopped or changed without consulting a doctor, as some patients need them to treat important health conditions. However, regular follow-up is necessary to reduce their possible risks to the eye.

Genetic Factors and Family History

Genetic factors may play a role in increasing the likelihood of developing cataracts, especially if there is a family history of cataracts at an early age.

In these cases, it is preferable to inform the doctor about the family medical history so that risk factors can be assessed more accurately.

Eye Injuries and Previous Eye Surgeries

Cataracts may appear after a direct eye injury or after some previous eye surgeries, because the lens may be affected by trauma or changes that occur inside the eye.

Therefore, it is recommended to examine the eye after any strong injury, even if symptoms improve at first.

Smoking and Some Environmental Factors

Smoking is one of the factors that may affect eye health and increase the likelihood of cataract progression. Exposure to certain types of radiation or inflammation inside the eye may also play a role in some cases.

The Most Common Cataract Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Cataract symptoms usually develop gradually. The patient may not notice a clear problem at first, but as lens opacity increases, symptoms become more noticeable.

The most common symptoms of cataracts include:

Blurred Vision and Feeling as if There Is a Film Over the Eye

Blurred vision is one of the most common cataract symptoms. The patient may feel as if they are looking through dirty glass or a foggy lens.

This blurriness may affect reading, watching television, using a mobile phone, or recognizing faces clearly.

Light Sensitivity and Glare at Night

The patient may feel noticeable discomfort from strong lights or notice glare around lamps, especially while driving at night.

This happens because the cloudy lens scatters light inside the eye, making vision in bright light or at night less clear.

Faded Colors and Poor Detail Recognition

Another cataract symptom is that colors may appear faded or yellowish, and the patient may feel that images are no longer as clear as before.

The patient may not notice this change at first, but it becomes clearer when comparing vision between both eyes or after cataract treatment in one eye.

Double Vision in One Eye

In some cases, cataracts may cause double vision in one eye, meaning the patient sees two images of the same object with one eye only.

This symptom requires detailed examination, as double vision may also have other causes, and self-diagnosis should not be relied upon.

Frequent Changes in Glasses Prescription

If the patient needs to change their glasses prescription more than once within a short period, this may be a sign of lens changes caused by cataracts.

Some patients may notice temporary improvement in near vision without glasses. This can happen in some types of cataracts, but it does not mean that the disease is improving. Instead, it may be a sign of changes inside the lens.

Do Cataract Causes and Symptoms Differ According to Type?

Yes, cataract causes and symptoms may differ according to the type of opacity and its location inside the lens, because cataracts are not all the same type.

The most common types of cataracts include:

Nuclear Cataracts

Nuclear cataracts affect the central part of the lens and are often related to aging.

At first, they may cause temporary improvement in near vision. Later, they gradually lead to poor distance vision, faded colors, and difficulty seeing in low light.

Cortical Cataracts

Cortical cataracts appear in the outer edges of the lens. They may cause noticeable glare and light sensitivity, especially while driving at night or when exposed to bright light.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts

This type affects the back part of the lens and may progress faster than some other types.

It often causes difficulty reading, severe light sensitivity, and poor near vision. It may sometimes be associated with diabetes or long-term corticosteroid use.

Congenital Cataracts in Children

Congenital cataracts may appear at birth or during the first years of a child’s life. They may be linked to genetic factors, infection during pregnancy, or some metabolic disorders.

These cases need prompt assessment, because delayed treatment in some cases may affect the development of the child’s vision.

When Do Cataracts Need Surgery?

The decision to perform cataract surgery does not depend only on the presence of lens opacity, but also on how much it affects the patient’s daily life.

Cataracts may be mild and not require immediate intervention. In other cases, they may clearly affect reading, driving, work, or daily activities.

Surgery may be suitable in the following cases:

• Vision weakness that affects daily activities.

• Difficulty driving at night due to glare and halos.

• Vision does not improve enough with glasses.

• Cataracts prevent the doctor from clearly examining the retina.

• Complications such as increased eye pressure, pain, or redness in some advanced cases.

Dr. Fouad El-Sayyad determines the suitable time for surgery after examining the eye, assessing the degree of opacity, and understanding the patient’s visual needs.

Can Cataracts Turn Into Glaucoma?

Cataracts do not directly turn into glaucoma, as each condition is a different eye disease.

However, in some very advanced cases, the cloudy lens may become large or swollen enough to affect fluid drainage inside the eye, which may lead to increased eye pressure or a secondary type of glaucoma.

Therefore, cataracts should not be neglected for long periods, especially if they begin to cause pain, redness, severe vision deterioration, or increased eye pressure.

Can Cataracts Be Treated With Eye Drops Without Surgery?

So far, there are no scientifically proven eye drops or medications that can remove cataracts or restore the cloudy lens to its clear state.

Some eye drops may help treat accompanying problems such as dry eye or inflammation, but they do not treat the lens opacity itself.

The effective treatment for cataracts that affect vision is cataract surgery, in which the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens.

The Latest Surgical Techniques for Cataract Treatment

Cataract surgery has developed significantly and has become one of the precise procedures aimed at removing the cloudy lens and implanting a suitable artificial lens according to the eye condition and the patient’s needs.

After choosing the appropriate procedure, following the precautions after cataract surgery helps reduce complications and support recovery.

The most common techniques used include:

Cataract Removal Using Phacoemulsification

Phacoemulsification is one of the most commonly used methods for cataract treatment. It depends on breaking the cloudy lens using ultrasound waves, then removing it through a small incision. After that, an artificial lens is implanted inside the eye.

This technique usually does not require a large surgical incision and helps support faster recovery in many cases.

Cataract Treatment Using Femto Laser

Femto laser may be used in some cataract cases to assist in certain steps of the surgery, such as making incisions, opening the lens capsule, and breaking the lens with high precision.

However, not every patient needs femto laser. Modern phacoemulsification with the right intraocular lens remains one of the most widely used and successful methods for cataract treatment in most cases.

The suitable technique is determined after eye examination, lens measurements, and assessment of the cornea, retina, and the patient’s visual needs.

How Can You Reduce the Risk Factors for Cataract Progression?

Age-related cataracts cannot be completely prevented, because they often occur due to natural changes in the eye lens with aging.

However, some risk factors can be reduced, and cataract progression may be slowed in some cases through:

• Wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays.

• Good control of diabetes.

• Quitting smoking.

• Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits.

• Having regular eye examinations, especially after the age of forty or when risk factors are present.

• Using corticosteroid medications only under medical supervision.

• Treating eye infections or any chronic eye problems early.

• Protecting the eyes from injuries during work or sports.

Regular follow-up with an ophthalmologist helps detect cataracts at an early stage and determine the right timing for intervention if they begin to affect vision.

Conclusion

Understanding the causes and symptoms of cataracts in the eye helps the patient seek examination at the right time and make a treatment decision based on clear information.

Cataracts usually appear with aging, but they may also be associated with other factors such as diabetes, exposure to ultraviolet rays, long-term corticosteroid use, eye injuries, or family history.

With the development of modern cataract surgery, vision can be improved in most cases by removing the cloudy lens and implanting an artificial lens suitable for the eye condition and the patient’s needs.

If you suffer from blurred vision, light sensitivity, difficulty driving at night, or frequent changes in glasses prescription, you can contact Dr. Fouad El-Sayyad’s center to receive an accurate assessment and learn about the most suitable treatment for your case.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs of cataracts in the eye?

Signs of cataracts include blurred vision, light sensitivity, seeing halos or glare around lights, difficulty driving at night, faded colors, and frequent changes in glasses prescription.

What causes cataracts in the eye?

Aging is the most common cause. The likelihood may also increase due to diabetes, long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays, smoking, long-term corticosteroid use, eye injuries, previous eye surgeries, or family history.

What causes cataracts in children?

Cataracts in children may be congenital from birth and may be linked to genetic factors, infection during pregnancy such as rubella, or some metabolic disorders. These cases require quick assessment to protect the development of vision.

Can cataracts be cured without surgery?

Cataracts cannot be removed with eye drops or medications. If cataracts begin to affect vision, the effective treatment is surgery to remove the cloudy lens and implant a clear artificial lens.

Can cataracts cause blindness?

If cataracts are left for a long time without follow-up or treatment, they may lead to severe vision loss. In very advanced cases, they may cause complications such as increased eye pressure. Therefore, examination and follow-up should not be neglected.

When should cataract surgery be performed?

Cataract surgery is performed when vision becomes insufficient for reading, driving, working, or daily activities, or when the opacity prevents the doctor from clearly examining the retina, or when complications such as increased eye pressure appear.

Is cataract surgery painful?

Cataract surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia, so the patient usually does not feel pain during the procedure. Mild discomfort or blurred vision may occur after surgery for a short period depending on the eye condition.

Can cataracts come back after surgery?

Cataracts themselves do not return after the natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. However, clouding of the posterior lens capsule may occur after some time. This is a different condition and can often be treated with a simple laser procedure determined by the doctor.

Is femto laser better than phaco in all cases?

Not necessarily. Femto laser may assist in some surgical steps with high precision, but it is not necessary for all patients. Modern phacoemulsification with the right intraocular lens provides excellent results in most cases, and the doctor determines the most suitable option after examination.

Can cataract surgery be delayed?

Surgery can be delayed if cataracts are mild and do not affect daily activities. However, it is not recommended to delay too much if vision becomes weak or symptoms such as pain, redness, or increased eye pressure appear.