{"id":1977,"date":"2026-10-20T08:54:46","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-health\/lens-and-cataract\/cataract-symptoms-and-stages-when-is-it-time-for-surgery\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:59:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:59:33","slug":"cataract-symptoms-and-stages-when-is-it-time-for-surgery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-health\/lens-and-cataract\/cataract-symptoms-and-stages-when-is-it-time-for-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Cataract Cause Headache? Cataract Symptoms, Stages and When to Have Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
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  4. Can Cataract Cause Headache? Cataract Symptoms, Stages and When to Have Surgery<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Can Cataract Cause Headache? Cataract Symptoms, Stages and When to Have Surgery<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    \"Eye<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Can cataract cause headache? Not usually: its typical symptoms are blurred vision, glare, halos, faded colours and poor night vision. The exception is an advanced, swollen cataract that can trigger acute angle-closure glaucoma, with severe eye pain, headache and nausea, which is an emergency. Surgery is advised when a cataract interferes with daily life, not at a fixed stage. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131, Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer and Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram assess this in Istanbul.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    What is a cataract, and what are the symptoms?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

    A cataract is a clouding of the lens, the clear part of the eye that focuses light onto the retina. The NHS describes it as the lens becoming cloudy, causing blurred vision. Inside the lens, proteins slowly break down, so light is scattered instead of passing cleanly through. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says most cataracts appear after age 40, and people over 60 typically have some clouding, though vision problems may not show for years.<\/p>\n

    Cataracts are very common. According to the US National Eye Institute (NEI), by age 80 most people either have a cataract or have already had cataract surgery. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in February 2026 that 94 million people have vision impairment from cataract that has not been treated.<\/p>\n

    Cataract symptoms: what you may notice<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The NHS, NEI and AAO list the same core symptoms:<\/p>

    Symptom<\/th>What it feels like<\/th>Where it is listed<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Blurred or cloudy vision<\/th>Trouble reading or watching TV; a hazy view<\/td>NHS, NEI, AAO<\/td><\/tr>
    Glare and light sensitivity<\/th>Oncoming headlights dazzle; bright light is uncomfortable<\/td>NHS, NEI, AAO<\/td><\/tr>
    Halos<\/th>Glowing rings around lights, worse at night<\/td>NHS, NEI<\/td><\/tr>
    Poor night vision<\/th>You need more light than before, or avoid driving after dark<\/td>NHS, NEI, AAO<\/td><\/tr>
    Faded or yellowed colours<\/th>Colours look dull, blues in particular<\/td>NHS, NEI, AAO<\/td><\/tr>
    Double or ghosted vision in one eye<\/th>A faint second image, even with the other eye closed<\/td>NHS, NEI, AAO<\/td><\/tr>
    Frequent glasses changes<\/th>Your prescription seems to need updating again and again<\/td>NHS<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

    Three points help you recognise a cataract early:<\/p>\n