Cataract Symptoms Often Ignored Even Though It Can Lead to Blindness

Illustration of cataract symptoms. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Cataract is a condition of the clarity of the eye lens that causes vision impairment. This condition generally develops slowly and does not feel disturbing at first.

However, if left alone, cataracts can cause sufferers to end up going blind. Therefore, it is important for everyone to know the symptoms of cataracts, so that treatment can be done quickly and correctly before it is too late.

One of the symptoms of cataracts is that vision becomes blurred slowly. The view is foggy, smoky, or like seeing behind a dirty glass.

"If the cataract is far away, it is blurry, it is also blurry," said Eye Specialist Subspecialist Eye Cataract and Refractive Surgery at Pondok Indah Hospital - Pondok Indah, Dr. Amir Shidik, Sp. M, Subsp. K.B.R, during a media meeting at Pondok Indah, Jakarta, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

However, in certain cases, cataract symptoms can also occur "second sight". This is a condition where near vision improves, but far vision decreases.

Meanwhile, some more complete cataract symptoms that must be wary of include the following.

- Foggy, smoky vision, or like seeing through dirty glass- Glare when driving at night or in the rain- Vision becomes increasingly blurred or hazy when outdoors in bright light- Changes in color vision- Vision slowly becomes blurred- Size of glasses often changes- Second sight, near vision correction, distant vision decreases- No pain and no red eyes- There is a white color spot on the eye lens in mature cataracts (mature)

"The lens of the cataract is all yellow. In more severe cases, everything is white, and the more severe the vision is all black," he explained.

If you have experienced some of the symptoms above, it is highly recommended to immediately have an eye examination. For cataract treatment today, the most effective is surgery, which can be performed at all stages of lens opacity (not waiting for the cataract to 'mature').