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 Are Cataracts?
Cataracts happen when the lens of the eye becomes opaque, causing blurry vision and increased light sensitivity. Though often linked to aging, cataracts can also develop due to eye injuries, certain medications, or health conditions 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 develop gradually and are treatable with surgery, which replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial one.
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve, usually caused by increased eye pressure. Unlike cataracts, it can silently progress, potentially leading to irreversible vision loss if not treated.
Common symptoms of glaucoma include:
- 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.
To manage glaucoma, long-term treatments like eye drops, laser surgery, or surgical procedures are used to control eye pressure and stop the damage from worsening.
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. |
| How Vision Loss Occurs | Blurriness and glare sensitivity. | Peripheral vision loss progressing to tunnel vision. |
| Treatment Options | Surgical replacement of the lens. | Medications, laser therapy, or surgery to reduce eye pressure. |
In summary, cataracts blur your vision, while glaucoma reduces your field of vision, possibly leading to blindness without treatment.
