Changes in your vision may not be immediately obvious. You may only notice them in certain situations, such as reading or driving at night.
Cataracts can develop slowly over time. An assessment can help you understand what is happening and what needs attention. At Dr Dony Mathew | Cape Town Eye Centre, you are examined by an ophthalmologist based in Bellville who specialises in detecting these changes early.
What are cataracts?
A cataract occurs when the lens inside your eye becomes less transparent. This affects how light passes through the eye, which is why vision can become dull or slightly blurred. It is often associated with ageing, but it can also develop earlier depending on your health or medical history.
What could you start to notice?
The changes are often subtle and easy to adapt to initially.
You may find that:
You need more light to read comfortably
Oncoming headlights feel more intense when driving at night
Your glasses do not seem to work as well as before
Colours look slightly faded compared to what you remember
Reduced nighttime vision
If you are modifying your routine to compensate, it is usually a sign that your vision needs to be evaluated by our eye specialist in Bellville.
How is a cataract checked?
The purpose of your appointment is to assess how your vision has changed and identify its causes.
During your visit:
Your vision is tested to see how clearly you are seeing
The lens inside your eye is examined to check for clouding
Comprehensive eye exam to determine all the factors contributing to the reduced vision
If there are broader concerns about your eye health, this can be explored further during a more comprehensive assessment of your vision.
When does it need to be treated?
Cataracts are not treated based on their appearance. The choice of treatment depends on how your vision affects your daily life. You may consider treatment if reading becomes tiring, driving feels less comfortable, or if your vision no longer improves with new glasses.
If there are other changes in your eyes, such as those affecting the retina, these can be assessed at the same time during a closer look at the back of the eye.
What should you do next?
If your vision feels different, it is worth having it checked. A clear assessment can help you understand what is happening and when to take the next step with our ophthalmologist in Bellville, Cape Town.