Ophthalmologists have warned against ignoring blurred vision, heightened sensitivity to light or difficulty driving at night, stressing that these symptoms may indicate cataracts — a condition that develops gradually and affects quality of life as well as the ability to read, work and move around safely, particularly among the elderly, diabetic patients, smokers and those exposed to sunlight for extended periods.
They confirmed that consulting an eye doctor upon noticing any persistent change in vision allows for early diagnosis, assessment of the degree to which the eye's lens has been affected, and the formulation of an appropriate treatment plan. They noted that changing glasses may be sufficient in the early stages, while surgery becomes the most effective option once the condition begins to impair quality of life.
The Dubai Health Authority stressed the importance of paying attention to any changes in vision and not ignoring them, explaining that cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural lens that leads to a gradual deterioration in eyesight.
It noted that the most prominent symptoms include blurred or hazy vision, increased sensitivity to light, difficulty seeing at night, fading or yellowing of colours, and a recurring need to change glasses, warning against ignoring these early signs.
It pointed out that risk factors include advancing age, diabetes, smoking, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, long-term use of cortisone, and a family history of the condition, calling for prevention through protective sunglasses, blood sugar control, a healthy lifestyle and regular eye examinations.
Dr Tariq Sadiq, a consultant in ophthalmology and eye surgery and a retina specialist, said that cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural lens that causes a gradual decline in vision, and typically appear in both eyes to varying degrees.
He explained that advancing age is the primary risk factor, resulting from gradual changes in lens proteins that cause them to lose their transparency. Diabetes is also among the most significant factors accelerating the onset of the disease, particularly when blood sugar levels are not controlled, alongside smoking, exposure to ultraviolet rays, cortisone use, certain eye inflammations and family history.
Dr Syed Mohammed Saad, an ophthalmology specialist, said that cataracts develop gradually and a patient may not notice the changes at first, but they begin to affect the quality of vision over time.
He explained that the most notable symptoms include hazy vision, difficulty seeing at night, the appearance of halos around lights, fading of colours, a recurring need to change glasses and, occasionally, double vision in one eye.
He confirmed that the condition becomes more serious when it begins to affect daily activities such as reading, driving, working or recognising faces, noting that night driving becomes one of the most hazardous situations due to reduced contrast and glare from car headlights.
Dr Nandini Sankaranarayanan, an ophthalmologist at Medicure Medical Centre, said that the treatment of cataracts depends on the degree of their progression and their impact on the patient's life.
She explained that in the early stages, vision can be improved by updating glasses, improving lighting or using magnifying lenses — measures that help manage symptoms but do not halt the progression of the disease.
She confirmed that there are currently no eye drops or medications capable of removing cataracts or reversing their progression, and that once symptoms begin to affect daily activities, surgery becomes the most effective and safest solution for restoring vision quality.
Dr Sashwanthi Mohan, a specialist ophthalmologist, said that one of the most common misconceptions is the belief that cataracts only have an impact in their advanced stages, when in fact their effects may begin early, particularly in conditions of strong lighting or during night driving.
She added that the decision to operate does not depend solely on the degree of lens clouding, but on how far the condition is affecting the patient's quality of life and their daily visual needs.
She confirmed that complete prevention may not be possible in cases related to ageing, but that managing diabetes, quitting smoking and wearing sunglasses that protect against ultraviolet rays helps reduce the risk of developing the condition or slowing its progression.