Cataract Awareness Month: The Daily Impacts You Might Be Missing

How a gradual condition can quietly reshape your daily routine

June is Cataract Awareness Month, and while cataracts are often discussed in terms of age and symptoms, the reality is more complex. Cataracts rarely show up all at once. Instead, they develop slowly—changing how you experience the world in ways you may not immediately recognize.

At Kovach Eye Institute, we often meet patients who assume their struggles with reading, night driving, or confidence in unfamiliar places were just part of getting older. But in many cases, cataracts are the underlying cause.

The Slow Fade of Independence

One of the most common—but overlooked—effects of cataracts is how they quietly chip away at independence. Tasks like driving at night, reading street signs, or recognizing faces from a distance can become more difficult. Over time, people may begin to avoid going out in the evening or rely more on others for help—without realizing a treatable condition is behind the change.

Mental and Emotional Toll

Cataracts can also impact more than vision—they can affect confidence and emotional well-being. Frustration with everyday tasks, concerns about safety, and a general sense of disconnect from normal routines can lead to stress or withdrawal from social activities.

If a loved one seems less engaged or hesitant to do things they used to enjoy, it may be worth encouraging an eye exam. Cataracts could be contributing, even if they haven’t been diagnosed yet.

Safety Risks at Home and on the Road

From misjudging steps to struggling with glare while driving, cataracts can increase the risk of falls and accidents. Many people don’t link these issues to their eye health—but subtle visual changes can have a real impact on safety.

That’s why it’s important not to wait for symptoms to feel severe. By catching cataracts early, you have more options and more time to plan the right course of care.

Spotting Cataracts Early: What to Watch For

Cataracts develop gradually, which means symptoms can be subtle at first. People often adjust without realizing they’re compensating for changes in their vision. Recognizing the early signs is key to protecting your independence and avoiding unnecessary frustration.

Some of the most common early symptoms include:

• Increased sensitivity to glare or bright lights
• Colors appearing less vivid than they used to
• Blurry or hazy vision that isn’t corrected by a new prescription
• Difficulty seeing well in low light or at night
• Frequent changes to your glasses or contact lens prescription

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms—or know someone who is—it may be time for a comprehensive eye exam and cataract consultation. Learn more about the early warning signs of cataracts and when surgery may be recommended.

A Reminder for Caregivers, Too

Cataract Awareness Month also serves as a reminder for adult children, spouses, and caregivers. If someone you love has been avoiding night driving, turning up the brightness on every device, or skipping social events, encourage them to schedule an eye exam.

Your support could help them regain confidence and independence—often with a simple outpatient procedure.

Cataract Surgery and Your Lens Options

Many people don’t realize that cataract surgery can offer more than just removal of the clouded lens—it’s also an opportunity to upgrade how you see. During the procedure, the natural lens is replaced with an artificial one, called an intraocular lens (IOL). Today’s IOLs come in a variety of types designed to support different visual needs and lifestyle preferences.

Some commonly used options include:

• Monofocal IOLs, which support vision at a single distance, usually far (distance vision). Reading glasses are typically needed for near tasks.
• Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF), mono-vision, and multifocal IOLs, which offer a broader range of focus—helping to reduce reliance on glasses for tasks like reading, working at a computer, and driving.
• Toric IOLs, which correct astigmatism and can improve the quality of uncorrected vision.
• Advanced technology IOLs, which may significantly minimize the need for glasses, depending on the patient’s individual visual goals and eye health.

Choosing the right IOL is a highly personal decision. Your ophthalmologist will help guide you through the options, tailoring the recommendation to your vision, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

Taking the First Step

The effects of cataracts may be subtle at first, but the sooner they’re identified, the better. If cataracts begin to interfere with your daily life—making lifestyle activities like pickleball, golf, arts & crafts, reading, driving, or recognizing faces challenging—it’s time to explore treatment options.

At Kovach Eye Institute, we’re here to help you understand your options and take the next step when you’re ready with comprehensive cataract evaluations and advanced surgical options.

This Cataract Awareness Month, give yourself—or someone you care about—the chance to see life with greater ease and don’t let cataracts limit your lifestyle. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at one of our convenient Chicagoland locations and find out if cataracts could be playing a role in the changes you’ve noticed.