[Health Column] Cataracts: Do They Occur in Everyone as They Age? From Symptoms to Surgery

임태형 원장

Hello, I am Tae-hyung Lim, the Chief Director of Clear Seoul Ophthalmology. 😊

As we age, people often dismiss blurry vision or dim eyesight as simple presbyopia. However, if these changes persist or worsen, it is worth considering a cataract check.

While cataracts are one of the representative age-related eye diseases, they do not necessarily occur only in the elderly. Since they can be caused by various factors such as trauma, diabetes, the use of certain medications, and genetic factors, it is important to monitor changes in the eyes through regular examinations rather than dismissing them as mere signs of aging.

Today, I will explain everything step-by-step, from what cataracts are, what symptoms they present, and how they differ from presbyopia, to when surgery should be considered. 👀✨

1️⃣ What is a cataract?

It is a condition in which vision becomes blurred because the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, preventing light from being properly transmitted to the retina.

A normal lens remains transparent and accurately transmits incoming light to the retina. However, when cataracts develop, the lens gradually becomes cloudy, preventing light from passing through properly, which can result in a decline in vision.

While cataracts primarily occur with age, they can also appear at a relatively young age due to trauma, diabetes, long-term use of steroid medications, or congenital factors.

💡 Actual condition — A condition in which the lens becomes cloudy, preventing light from fully reaching the retina

Cause — Aging · Trauma · Diabetes · Long-term use of steroid drugs · Congenital factors

🩺 Director's Advice — Since this is not a condition exclusive to the elderly, it is recommended that even young people get an examination if they experience persistent changes in their eyes.

2️⃣ What symptoms appear if cataracts develop?

Vision gradually becomes blurred, and glare and night vision discomfort often occur together.

In the early stages, cataracts do not present distinct symptoms, so individuals may not even be aware of the condition. As the clouding of the lens progresses, vision gradually becomes blurred and visual acuity declines.

Typical symptoms include objects appearing blurry or feeling that the focus is poor, increased glare in bright places, or difficulty seeing at night. You may also experience colors appearing less vivid than before or a sense of reduced contrast.

If discomfort increases, especially during activities requiring clear vision such as driving or reading, it is advisable to get an eye examination rather than simply assuming it is vision loss.

💡 Main symptoms — Blurry vision · Difficulty focusing · Glare · Poor night vision · Reduced color contrast

💬 Easy to Overlook — In the early stages, symptoms are not distinct, so there are many cases where people do not recognize it themselves.

🩺 Director's Advice If you experience increased discomfort during activities requiring clear vision, such as driving or reading, it is time to consider getting tested.

3️⃣ How are cataracts and presbyopia different?

Presbyopia is a phenomenon in which the ability to adjust focus decreases, and cataracts are a disease in which the lens becomes cloudy.

Cataracts and presbyopia can both occur with age and are easily confused, but there are differences in their causes and treatment methods.

Presbyopia is a phenomenon in which the ability to focus on objects at close distances decreases as the elasticity of the lens diminishes with age. On the other hand, cataracts are a condition in which vision becomes blurred as the lens itself becomes cloudy.

Therefore, if you experience not only difficulty seeing close text but also general blurring of distant objects, along with glare and reduced night vision, it is necessary to check for cataracts.

💡 Presbyopia — Decreased lens elasticity → Reduced ability to focus on near distances

💬 Cataract — Lens opacity → Overall blurring even at a distance, accompanied by glare and decreased night vision

🩺 Director's Advice It is not uncommon for both to occur together. It is more accurate to differentiate them through testing rather than self-diagnosing based on symptoms alone.

4️⃣ Is surgery absolutely necessary for cataracts?

Surgery is not always necessary immediately upon diagnosis; the timing is determined by considering the degree of daily discomfort.

Having cataracts does not mean you need surgery immediately upon diagnosis. In the early stages, if there are no significant changes in vision and minimal discomfort in daily life, you can monitor the progression through regular checkups.

However, if vision deteriorates as lens opacity progresses and causes significant inconvenience in daily life, such as driving, reading, or going out, you may consider surgery.

Cataract surgery is performed by removing the clouded lens and inserting an artificial lens in its place. It is also important to determine the timing of the surgery by comprehensively considering not only the extent of cataract progression but also current vision and the discomfort experienced in daily life.

💡 Follow-up — If changes in vision are not significant and daily discomfort is minimal, check the progress with regular checkups.

Consider surgery — When inconvenience in daily life, such as driving, reading, or going out, increases

🩺 Director's Advice It is recommended to determine the timing by considering not only the turbidity levels but also your current vision and any discomfort in your daily life.

🗣️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When can I resume my daily activities after cataract surgery?

A. Light daily activities are possible starting the day after surgery, but the time it takes for vision and eye condition to stabilize varies from person to person. Please be careful to avoid strenuous exercise or getting water in your eyes, and it is recommended to follow the precautions provided by the medical staff.

Q2. Do I have to wear glasses after cataract surgery?

A. This may vary depending on the type of intraocular lens inserted during surgery and the patient's eye condition. It is not mandatory, so sufficient consultation is required before surgery.

Q3. How should I care for my eyes after cataract surgery?

A. After surgery, please use the prescribed eye drops as directed, and during the initial recovery period, it is recommended to avoid environments where water or foreign substances may enter the eyes. Protecting your eyes from ultraviolet rays when going outdoors can also be helpful.

🎯 Conclusion

Cataracts often progress slowly, so it is easy to neglect them by assuming that vision loss is a natural change that occurs with aging.

However, if your vision becomes blurry or you experience severe glare, or if you feel discomfort in daily life such as during night driving or reading, it is advisable to identify the exact cause.

Suspecting cataracts does not necessarily mean immediate surgery is required; the appropriate timing for treatment can be determined after confirming the current condition and extent of progression through a thorough examination.

Rather than simply assuming that age-related blurred vision is due to presbyopia, it is important to check for cataracts through regular eye examinations. Even if cataracts are detected, it is advisable to decide on a treatment method that suits your eye condition and lifestyle after thoroughly consulting with medical professionals.

Key Points The first step is to determine whether the cause of blurry vision is presbyopia or cataracts.

Management points — Surgery is not performed immediately upon diagnosis; the timing is determined by assessing the progression and daily discomfort.

Specialist Consultation — After confirming your current condition through a precise examination, select a method suitable for your eye condition and living environment.

👨‍⚕️ Director Im Tae-hyung (Chief Director of Clear Seoul Ophthalmology)

Graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine
Seoul Asan Medical Center Intern / Ophthalmologist
Seoul National University Ophthalmology Fellow (Cornea, Cataract)
Selected by Expert SMILE Doctor
Selected as Expert CLEAR Doctor
Current Chief Director of Clear Seoul Ophthalmology
Former Head of Clinical Department at Hangil Eye Hospital (Director of LASIK & Dry Eye Center)
Former Professor at Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Director of Education
Former Academic Director of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
Former Director of Gangnam Nuneunmiso Ophthalmology Clinic
Former Director of Gangnam IOK Ophthalmology

📚 Source: The medical content of this column was written based on the guidelines of the Korean Ophthalmological Society and data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's National Health Information Portal.