To test for cataracts at home, look for the formation of clouds in the lens of the eye or trouble seeing in low light. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as a blurred or doubled vision or an increased sensitivity to bright lights.
Another way to check is by covering one eye at a time to see if clarity or focus improves with one eye over the other. These home treatments can provide a preliminary sign.
However, visiting an eye doctor is important in order to get an accurate diagnosis and receive the necessary treatment.
How to Check Cataracts at Home
Cataracts develop slowly, often starting with subtle vision changes that may go unnoticed. By using some simple techniques and careful observation, you can monitor early signs from home. This involves tracking vision clarity, light sensitivity, and other important factors over time.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you conduct these tests on your own.
1. Observe Changes in Vision
Pay attention to your vision in different degrees of brightness. Be mindful of your vision in bright outdoor conditions and low-light conditions indoors. If you find yourself straining to see objects or do activities such as reading, this may be an early indicator of cataracts forming.
For example, struggling to thread a needle or read fine print under normal lighting might reflect a need for sharper vision. Keeping a log of these changes in a journal can help spot trends over the course of weeks or months.
2. Look for Cloudy or Blurry Vision
Blurred or cloudy vision is a classic symptom of cataracts, usually involving only a portion of the lens at first. Test your vision by reading text on paper or tech at various ranges. Look out for any ongoing blurriness or loss of clarity you experience.
If you notice decreased clarity when doing things like reading or driving, it could be a sign of advancing cataracts.
3. Assess Light Sensitivity
Sensitivity to bright lights or glare from things like water or glass surfaces could be a sign that cataracts are developing. For one, pay attention to how your eye adjusts when walking out of a dark place into a well-lit space.
If you find yourself squinting often in these scenarios, you might have developed a sensitivity that requires further examination.
4. Check for Double Vision
Double vision, especially in one eye, can be another sign. You can do a simple check at home by paying attention to things that are close up and far away. Or, shine a flashlight on objects and look for any double vision or distortion.
Keeping a record of examples of this in daily life offers valuable insight for a future eye exam.
5. Test for Difficulty Seeing at Night
Cataracts typically worsen night vision. Trouble identifying people or reading street signs in dim light is an early symptom. If you’re driving, try not to drive at night, since cataracts can make headlight glare worse, making it difficult to see and drive safely.
6. Notice Color Perception Changes
Cataracts make colors look washed out or faded. You can test color vibrancy with natural light and artificial light, paying attention if it is more difficult to tell similar colors apart.
For example, if blues and greens mix together more often, this may indicate that cataracts are getting worse.
7. Inspect the Appearance of the Eye
Looking in a mirror, look for visible cloudiness in the lens and/or asymmetry in pupil size. Though redness and irritation may not be present with cataracts, any change in appearance of the eye needs to be noted.
Tools to Help Identify Cataracts
Identifying cataracts at home might be your first step in recognizing changes in your vision. While professional diagnosis is essential, some simple tools and observations can help you gather useful insights for your eye care provider. Read below for things you can do to check for warning signs of cataracts.
Using a Flashlight for Eye Inspection
A simple flashlight makes for a useful, easy self-check tool. Point the flashlight into your own eyes. Try to concentrate on a stationary object, such as your image in a mirror or another close object.
Watch very carefully to see how the light is bouncing off your eye. If you notice any atypical reflections, such as a cloudy or milky look, these can signal the development of a cataract.
Test how your pupils respond to light. An eye in good health should have a fast and smooth constriction. Delay or abnormal responses of the pupil may indicate a condition that should be brought to the attention of an eye care specialist.
Testing Vision with Printed Text
Reading printed text, from large type down to normal or small type, is another good way to test for improvement in visual clarity. To begin, start with a book or newspaper at a distance that feels comfortable, then slowly bring it closer or further away from your face.
If you have trouble reading fine print or see a blur, even in bright conditions, it may be an initial indication of worsening vision. Cataracts could be behind these changes in your vision.
To familiarize yourself with this for consistency, practice reading text on computer screens or food packages, as these surfaces tend to showcase the first perceptible changes in clarity.
Observing Pupil Response to Light
Using the flashlight one more time, watch to see how each pupil responds when exposed to light. Shine the light into one eye at a time, and observe the quickness and degree of the pupil’s constriction.
Healthy pupils should dilate in a reactive manner and constrict quickly when returning to their normal size once the light source is removed. Any lags, disproportionate responses, or inability to revert to baseline might indicate cause for alarm.
Maintaining a written log of these observations can arm you with important information for your doctor at the time of an eye exam.
Keeping a Log of Observations
Keeping a log of your observations is important. Record your symptoms, such as trouble reading or seeing halos around lights in the evening.
This documentation provides you with a detailed report to take with you to your eye care professional. This knowledge equips them to make informed decisions about what actions they need to take.
They might decide to use more sophisticated tests, such as visual acuity testing and/or slit lamp examination.
Conclusion
Cataracts can develop gradually without noticeable symptoms, but being aware of them is important. You can perform simple home tests, like checking your vision in different lighting conditions with tools like a flashlight or your phone camera. However, these are just initial steps. Regular eye exams are essential for early detection and treatment of cataracts.
You can protect your eyes by living a healthy lifestyle. Shielding them from UV rays can reduce the risk of eye diseases significantly. If you notice any sudden or lasting changes in your vision, contact an ophthalmologist immediately. Taking care of your eye health now means enjoying brighter days in the future. Stay proactive—your eyes will appreciate it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common signs of cataracts?
Common symptoms include blurriness or cloudiness of vision, increased light sensitivity, trouble with night vision, and colors appearing washed out or faded. If you experience any of these symptoms, see an eye care professional right away.
Can I check for cataracts at home?
The good news is yes, you can easily do a cataract check at home. Check for cloudiness in the eye or check vision by covering one eye at a time. This is not a replacement for a medical diagnosis.
Are there tools to help spot cataracts at home?
A flashlight (or smartphone flashlight) will be useful. Shine it softly into the eye and look for any signs of cloudiness. Or, use the phone camera to screen for visible opacities on the lens.
When should I see a doctor for cataracts?
See an eye specialist if you experience persistent vision changes, trouble driving at night, or if daily tasks are affected by vision problems. As with many medical conditions, early diagnosis means more favorable results.
Can lifestyle changes help prevent cataracts?
So, wear UV-protective sunglasses, don’t smoke, eat foods rich in antioxidants, and keep health conditions such as diabetes under control. These 6 steps can reduce your risk of developing cataracts.
Are cataracts reversible without surgery?
The answer is no—cataracts can’t be reversed in a natural way. Surgery is the only successful treatment to remove and replace cataracts and restore clear vision.
How can I differentiate cataracts from other vision issues?
The main symptom of cataracts, at least in the beginning, is cloudy vision and sensitivity to light. If these symptoms do not go away, or continue to get worse, see an eye doctor immediately to eliminate other diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
