Vision changes can be concerning, especially when conditions like cataracts or glaucoma are involved. While both affect your eyesight, they are distinct in symptoms, causes, and treatments. Understanding the differences is crucial for proper care.
What You Need to Know About Cataracts
When the lens of the eye clouds over, it causes blurry vision and light sensitivity—this is known as a cataract. While most common in older adults, cataracts can also form as a result of injuries, long-term steroid use, or diseases like diabetes.
Common symptoms of cataracts include:
- Cloudy or blurry vision.
- Increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night.
- Colors appearing faded or dull.
- Difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.
Cataracts tend to develop over time and can be corrected through surgery, where the cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial one.
What You Should Know About Glaucoma
Glaucoma, on the other hand, is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure. Unlike cataracts, glaucoma is more insidious and can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Glaucoma symptoms typically involve:
- Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision, often unnoticed at first.
- In advanced cases, tunnel vision.
- In rare acute cases, severe eye pain, nausea, and blurred vision.
Treatment for glaucoma generally involves eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery to reduce eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
How Cataracts and Glaucoma Differ
Although both cataracts and glaucoma affect your vision, they differ significantly in how they develop and are treated:
| Feature | Cataracts | Glaucoma |
|---|---|---|
| Cause of Condition | Clouding of the eye's lens. | Damage to the optic nerve, often from high eye pressure. |
| Pattern of Vision Loss | Blurriness and glare sensitivity. | Peripheral vision loss progressing to tunnel vision. |
| How It’s Treated | Surgical replacement of the lens. | Medications, laser therapy, or surgery to reduce eye pressure. |
The main difference? Cataracts cloud vision, whereas glaucoma damages the field of vision, which can result in permanent blindness if left untreated.
