Cataracts
Early symptoms of cataracts often develop gradually and may initially go unnoticed. Watch for:
- Clouded, blurred, or dim vision
- Increased sensitivity to light and glare
- Difficulty seeing at night or in low-light conditions
- Seeing halos around lights
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
- Fading or yellowing of colors
- Double vision in one eye
If you notice any of these changes, especially if they interfere with daily activities, it’s important to schedule an eye examination[1][2][3][4][5].
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is particularly concerning because its most common form, open-angle glaucoma, often presents no symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
- Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision, often unnoticed at first
- Patchy blind spots in your vision
- In later stages, loss of central vision
For acute angle-closure glaucoma, which is less common but a medical emergency, symptoms may include:
- Sudden blurred vision
- Severe eye pain
- Headache, nausea, or vomiting
- Halos around lights
- Eye redness and watering
Because early glaucoma may not cause noticeable symptoms, regular eye exams are essential, especially for those at higher risk[6][7].
Diabetic Retinopathy
In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not cause any symptoms, making regular screenings especially important for individuals with diabetes. When symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters in your field of vision
- Dif
