32F, roughly 130 lbs, 5’6", spent a year deployed in Balad, Iraq (which might be a factor, who knows). I’m not seeking a diagnosis because medical experts have already given me one, and I’m operating on the assumption that they are correct. I’m quite young to be dealing with a cataract, yet here I am. I have watched my eyesight deteriorate in real-time—literally, given that it’s happening in my own eye. For personal reasons, I cannot get the surgery right now. I can’t see a thing; for all practical purposes, I am blind in that specific eye. I used to be able to count fingers held up in front of me, but that’s no longer possible. My question is: how much worse can it get? Regardless of the progression, I plan to get it fixed when I’m in a better position to do so. I’m just asking out of curiosity. Can it eventually block out all light entirely? What am I looking at? Edit: I’m not 100% blind in that eye yet. I can still distinguish some colors, but the rest is a mystery. Another edit: My other eye is apparently starting to form a cataract as well, though it recently tested at 20/16 vision.
I am pretty sure they will cause total blindness if they aren’t surgically removed.
Yes, it can get worse (progressing to where you lose color and only have light perception). However, it sounds like it has already reached a stage where surgical intervention is required. I’d recommend not delaying it much longer. Modern cataract surgery is very quick and safe. The intraocular lenses used now are top-tier, so you won’t need the thick ‘coke-bottle’ glasses people used to wear decades ago. You might also want your physician to investigate why you’re getting these so early… perhaps looking into family history regarding diabetes or metabolic disorders.
Hello, I’m a nursing student using this as an alternative way to provide patient education since our clinical rotations were moved due to COVID-19. I’m happy to help. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens that interferes with vision. Common triggers include aging, trauma, or toxicity from long-term use of steroids, phenothiazines, or beta blockers. It’s also associated with things like diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, Down syndrome, and chronic sun exposure. Risk factors include age, genetics, smoking, eye injuries, and certain medications. Symptoms include lower visual acuity (frequent prescription changes, poor night vision, loss of color depth), blurred vision, and double vision. Regarding your question on how bad it can get without surgery: the cataract can grow large enough to totally obstruct your vision. If you wear glasses, you can try changing the prescription temporarily, but that often won’t suffice. It is generally advised to have the surgery before the cataract severely limits your sight. I hope this information is useful. References: Lewis, S. M. (2011). Medical-surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby.