Cataracts are a common age-related eye condition that causes clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, seeing halos around lights, double vision in one eye, and faded colors. As cataracts progress, glasses are often the first treatment to help improve vision, before surgery is required to remove the cataract. Here we’ll look at how glasses can help with cataracts, when new glasses are needed, options like anti-reflective coating, and what to expect from cataract glasses versus surgery.
How do glasses help with cataracts?
Glasses improve vision with cataracts by refracting light around the clouded parts of the lens and magnifying images so they appear clearer and sharper. Glasses work by bending (refracting) light as it passes through the lenses to focus images directly on the retina at the back of the eye.
With cataracts, the normally clear lens becomes progressively cloudy, preventing light from passing through easily to the retina. Glasses counteract this effect by bending light around obstructed areas and focusing images clearly. The lenses in glasses are shaped and curved to provide the exact magnification and refraction required to optimize vision.
When to get new glasses for cataracts
As cataracts worsen, new glasses are often needed because the old prescription becomes less effective. Signs that it’s time for new cataract glasses include:
- Blurry vision
- Problems seeing with old glasses
- Frequent changes in glasses prescription
- Needing to adjust brightness on screens and lights
- Difficulty with night driving
- Seeing halos around lights
- Double vision in one eye
Updated glasses provide maximum correction and visual clarity as cataracts progress. Regular eye exams determine when a new prescription is required, often every 1-2 years.
Anti-reflective coating
Anti-reflective coating on cataract glasses lenses is highly recommended as it improves vision and reduces glare. By reducing surface reflections and light bouncing off the lenses, anti-reflective coating allows more light to pass through clearly.
With cataracts already obstructing light and causing glare and halos, anti-reflective lenses optimize the light that gets through. This improves visual acuity and comfort in low light or while driving at night.
What to expect with cataract glasses
Glasses can significantly improve vision impaired by cataracts. With the right prescription, glasses help restore sharpness, color vibrancy, night vision, and ability to differentiate contrasts. Reading vision in particular is enhanced.
However, glasses cannot restore vision to normal or fix symptoms like double vision. As cataracts worsen, stronger prescriptions are needed and glasses may need to be very thick and heavy. Surgery to remove the cataract is the only way to restore normal vision.
Glasses after cataract surgery
After surgical removal of a cataract, glasses are still needed for optimal vision, but the prescription requirements change. The artificial lens implanted after cataract removal will have different focusing powers, requiring glasses to refine the vision.
Glasses allow fine-tuning vision for sharp focus at different distances. Post-surgery glasses also protect the new artificial lens and correct residual focusing errors.
How do cataract glasses compare to surgery?
| Cataract Glasses | Cataract Surgery |
|---|---|
| Help improve and correct vision by bending light around cataract | Removes cataract to restore normal visual pathway |
| Vision keeps worsening as cataract progresses | One surgery fixes the cause of impaired vision |
| May eventually need very thick, heavy lenses | Doesn’t require glasses as thick or strong |
| Leaves double vision untreated | Can correct double vision from cataract |
| Non-invasive temporary treatment | Invasive surgery but permanent solution |
| Much lower risk than surgery | Small surgical risks |
| Lower cost than surgery | Higher cost, but often covered by insurance |
Conclusion
Glasses are very effective at improving vision in early cataract, bending light around cloudy areas and magnifying images. New glasses are needed as cataracts worsen to maintain visual clarity. While glasses cannot cure cataracts like surgery, they are a non-invasive way to manage symptoms. However, as cataracts progress, thick heavy glasses may be needed and surgery gives more permanent results. Regular eye exams help determine when surgery is required for optimal vision.