Cataracts Health Center

Although cataracts may range in severity from individual to individual, symptoms are universal.

Cataracts cause clouding of the lens. This clouding negatively affects vision, causing the brain to interpret images as blurred.

Other symptoms of cataracts include faded colors, glare, poor night vision, double vision and frequent vision prescription changes. 

A buildup of proteins in the lens can also affect vision. Clumps of proteins can reduce the sharpness of an image as it reaches the retina. The lens, through which light and images pass before the retina, is composed of water and protein. When the protein clumps up, it causes clouding in the lens and reduces the light that is allowed through into the retina. The clouding may even be severe enough to cause blurry vision. This protein buildup is the most common cause of age-related cataracts. 

The lens may also take on a yellowish/brownish color, adding a brownish tint to one's vision. While this may not greatly impact vision at first, it can eventually progress to make such activities as reading more difficult. In some cases, it can cause blue-purple color blindness.