Recognising early cataract: when do eye drops become important?

What is early cataract?

With early cataract, the eye lens is not yet fully clouded, but vision can already change noticeably. At first, the symptoms may be mild. Some people think their glasses are no longer right, while the cause lies in the eye lens.

Cataract mainly becomes more common with age. The lens in the eye then becomes less clear. This process can be slow, so someone may only realise after a long time that their vision is deteriorating.

Important to know: cataract is not a condition that can be cured with eye drops. The Oogfonds states that there are no medicines to prevent or cure cataract. The treatment is cataract surgery, in which the clouded lens is replaced by an artificial lens.

Recognising early cataract: first symptoms

Early cataract can cause various symptoms. Not everyone notices the same signs. Common symptoms are:

• blurred or hazy vision;
• seeing less sharp detail;
• colours that appear less bright;
• more trouble with bright light or glare;
• poorer vision in the dark;
• difficulty reading or driving;
• more often feeling that your glasses no longer work well.

The Oogfonds names blurred vision as one of the first symptoms of early cataract. It can feel as though you are looking through a fogged-up window.

How do you notice early cataract in daily life?

Cataract often stands out during ordinary everyday moments. Think of road signs that are less sharp, reading in low light becoming harder, or car headlights that dazzle more. You may also clean your glasses more often, while the image still remains blurred.

With early cataract, it is wise to have your symptoms assessed by an optometrist, GP or ophthalmologist. Certainly when vision clearly deteriorates or daily activities become more difficult.

Does your vision suddenly get much worse, do you see double, do you get flashes of light or see a dark spot? Then it is important to contact a doctor immediately. Thuisarts advises calling your GP or out-of-hours GP service immediately in case of sudden severe vision problems.

Recognising early cataract and when cataract surgery is needed

Not everyone with early cataract needs surgery straight away. Cataract surgery is usually considered when the symptoms become bothersome in daily life. For example, when reading, working, cycling, driving or climbing stairs becomes less safe or less pleasant.

During cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist replaces the clouded lens with a clear artificial lens. According to the Richtlijnendatabase, cataract is caused by clouding of the eye lens, causing blurrier vision, poorer night vision and colours that can become less bright. With surgery, the ophthalmologist can replace the clouded lens with an artificial lens.

Will you receive eye drops after cataract surgery?

After cataract surgery you will usually be given eye drops. These drops support the recovery of the eye. The ophthalmologist or clinic will tell you how often and how long you need to use the drops. It is important to follow this schedule carefully.

Thuisarts states that after cataract surgery you are given eye drops and that the ophthalmologist explains how long and how often you need to use them.

For many people, this period is precisely the practically difficult part. You often have to apply drops several times a day, sometimes at set times. The drop also has to land properly in the eye, without the bottle touching the eye or eyelashes.

Why is applying eye drops after cataract surgery sometimes difficult?

Applying eye drops seems simple, but in practice it often goes wrong. People blink too quickly, miss the eye, touch the eyelid with the bottle or squeeze too hard. It can also be hard to keep your head tilted back properly and apply the drops calmly at the same time.

After cataract surgery this can feel extra nerve-racking. The eye has just been treated and people do not want to disturb the recovery. This can cause uncertainty: does the drop land properly, am I not using too much, am I not touching my eye?

That makes applying drops independently after cataract surgery an important topic. Not because the eye drop aid treats cataract, but because correct administration of prescribed eye drops can help you follow the drop schedule better.

How can an eye drop aid help?

An eye drop aid helps position the drop bottle above the eye. This means you have to aim less and can apply the drops more calmly. The aid supports the independent administration of eye drops, especially when someone has difficulty aiming, squeezing or holding still.

The Oculoo eye drop aid was developed as an aid for people who want to use eye drops independently. It helps to hold the bottle in the right place above the eye. That can be pleasant after cataract surgery, but also with long-term use of eye drops.

Oculoo does not treat cataract and does not replace medical advice. Always follow the drop schedule from your ophthalmologist, pharmacy or clinic.

Who might an eye drop aid be interesting for?

An eye drop aid can be especially useful for people who:

• have difficulty aiming while applying drops;
• are unsure whether the drop lands properly in the eye;
• often hold the bottle against the eye or eyelashes;
• have shaking hands;
• have less strength in their hands;
• want to keep applying drops independently after cataract surgery;
• would rather not depend on informal care or home care.

For some people, applying drops independently is a matter of convenience. For others, it is important to be less dependent on help. Especially when drops are needed several times a day, an aid can make a big difference in the daily routine.

When should you contact a doctor?

Contact your doctor, optometrist or ophthalmologist when you notice your vision slowly deteriorating, when your vision becomes increasingly blurred or when you suspect you have cataract.

Contact a doctor immediately in case of sudden poor vision, flashes of light, a dark spot, severe pain, severe redness or sudden double vision. These are symptoms that do not fit normal early cataract and need to be assessed quickly.

Conclusion

You often recognise early cataract by blurred vision, less bright colours, difficulty reading and more trouble with light. The symptoms usually develop slowly. When cataract becomes bothersome, cataract surgery may be needed. After such surgery you are often given eye drops for recovery.

Applying drops properly and independently is then important. An eye drop aid such as Oculoo can help to position the drop bottle better above the eye and to apply drops more calmly. In this way Oculoo supports the use of prescribed eye drops, without replacing medical advice or treatment.

Would you like to keep applying drops independently after cataract surgery, or do you have trouble aiming eye drops properly? Then see how the Oculoo eye drop aid can help with your daily drop routine.

Sources:

https://www.umcutrecht.nl/nl/behandeling/staaroperatie

https://www.oogziekenhuis.nl/oogziekten-en-behandelingen/staaroperatie-cataractoperatie