Cataract is among the leading causes of blindness globally, particularly among the elderly. They are an eye disease in which the lens of the eye becomes opaque and causes cloudy vision, glare sensitivity, and night blindness. Cataracts develop slowly and, if left untreated, result in complete blindness. One of the most common questions cataract patients purchase is: How long does it take to go blind from cataracts? Its duration will depend on the nature of cataracts, age, overall health, and weather. While in most cases it may take decades to take place, in some other case where perhaps there could be an associated chronic disease like diabetes, they occur faster.
Here in this article, we’ll answer “How Long Does It Take to Go Blind from Cataracts?” and discuss how cataracts develop, their potential to cause blindness, and what treatments can prevent vision loss. We’ll also cover facts about types of cataracts and early treatment options that can help preserve vision and quality of life.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are caused by protein degeneration of the lens of the eye and protein agglutination into transparent lesions which are vision-permitting. It is a chronic condition and most frequently associated with very old age.
Types of Cataracts
Types of cataract are:
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Nuclear Cataracts:
Develop in the nucleus of the lens and leads to progressive yellow or brown pigmentation.
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Cortical Cataracts:
Forming at the edge of the lens, cataracts gradually progress centrally, leading to sensitivity to light and glare issues.
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Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts:
Develop at the rear of the lens and will develop rapidly and affect reading and TV when outside in the sun.
Although cataracts do develop with age, they are a secondary consequence of genetic illness, eye trauma, long-term steroid use, and ultraviolet radiation.
Symptoms and Stages of Cataract Progression
Cataracts develop over decades with progressive symptoms. Progress is usually to the following:
Early Stage (Mild Symptoms)
- Blurring, especially in dim light.
- Sensitivity to sun or headlight glare.
- Loss of color or depigmentation.
Middle Stage (Interference with Vision)
- Difficulty reading newsprint or unable to read fine detail.
- Glow or haloes on night-time light.
- Presence of characteristic changes in eye glass prescriptions.
Advanced Stage (Severe Visual Impairment)
- Blurring of overall vision.
- Difficulty perceiving faces.
- Not safe to drive.
- Twice as probable to tumble because of defective depth perception.
Non-functioning cataracts will eventually create legal blindness (20/200 or worse). Cataract blindness can be avoided with immediate medical care, though.
How soon do cataracts form?
Cataract development differs in different people. Cataract develops after decades in some and develops well in a few months or years.
Factors That Influence Cataract Progression
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Age :
Cataracts occur more frequently and at an early age in individuals over 60 years.
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Health Status :
Diabetes and high blood pressure lead to premature development of cataracts.
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Genes :
Cataracts form in certain individuals at an early age based on genes.
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Lifestyle Pattern :
Sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol intake can facilitate rapid development of cataract.
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Drugs :
Steroid intake for a long duration makes an individual susceptible to cataract.
Normal Time Taken to Develop Cataract
- Age cataracts: Form in 10-20 years.
- Diabetes cataracts: Form in 5 years.
- Traumatic cataracts: Form immediately or shortly after trauma.
- Congenital cataracts: Form at birth and can be operated in early life.
Do Cataracts Cause Blindness?
Cataracts are a leading cause of reversible blindness, but they do not cause total blindness if treated.
How Cataracts Cause Blindness?
- When cataract forms, lens is completely opaque and will not allow light to travel to the retina.
- Causes functional blindness (total visual disability such that everyday life is not possible) unless treated after years or decades.
- Vision is restored to normal because cataracts never result in permanent damage to the optic nerve in any way.
Global Impact of Cataract-Related Blindness
- Over 100 million individuals worldwide become blind or lose their vision because of cataracts.
- Contribute to 51% of blindness worldwide (WHO report).
- Saves surgery-caused blindness in developed nations, and permanent unsurgery-induced blindness in developing nations.
Prevention and cure of cataract
When to treat?
- If affects daily functions (driving, reading, face recognition).
- If advances at a faster rate with medical ailments like diabetes.
Cataract Surgery: Single and Only Treatment
Surgeons perform cataract surgery, a very safe and successful procedure, by making an incision in the cloudy lens and implanting an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
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Success rate:
Clear vision is restored by more than 98% of the patients.
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Rest period:
Few weeks, 1-2 months for complete vision recovery.
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Low risk:
Practically no infection and inflammation with new techniques.
Prevention Advice
- Use UV-protection glasses to prevent lens damage. Never attempt to treat or cure cataract yourself.
- Consume a balanced diet with plenty of antioxidants (Vitamin C, E, lutein, zeaxanthin).
- Quit smoking and decrease alcohol consumption to avoid oxidative stress to the eyes.
- Control chronic conditions such as blood pressure and diabetes.
- Have an eye examination every 1-2 years after 40 years of age.
Conclusion
Cataracts is a disease of the eye, which would blind a human if not operated on, but as it causes complete blindness no, because sometimes one’s eyes might get operated on. No process of knowledge occurs by which cataract formation occurs so that decades long gradual growth occurs in some but others within years occur in a fast mode.
Good vision can be assured by frequent checkup of the eyes, healthy living and diet, and proper diagnosis at the early stage. Cataract surgery is safe, highly effective, and easily accessible and can restore vision in most cases.
If you, or the person sitting next to you, have blurry vision, light sensitivity, or night blindness, go see an ophthalmologist and have it diagnosed and treated early. Blindness is not inevitable because of cataracts—you can have eyes kept clear for the remainder of your life if treated.
FAQs About Cataracts and Blindness
Do cataracts heal on their own?
No, cataracts never get better on their own and have to be treated by surgery.
Is cataract surgery always necessary?
Yes, recovery is probable with surgery alone, but recovery will be delayed by a lifestyle change.
For how long should cataracts serve?
It is in proportion to loss of vision. Early cataract can be detected only, but surgery can be planned if loss of vision begins to ruin daily living.
Do children ever get cataracts?
Yes, because of genetic, traumatic, radiation, or disease-related reasons such as diabetes.