Cataracts: Symptoms, Causes, and When to See Your Eye Doctor in Edmonton

Written by the Charm Optical Team • April 7, 2026

If your vision has slowly become hazy, colours look faded, or driving at night feels harder than it used to, cataracts might be the reason. They're incredibly common, especially after age 60, and they develop so gradually that many people don't realize anything has changed until their optometrist spots it during a routine eye exam.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The good news? They're treatable. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and successful procedures in medicine. And catching them early through regular eye exams makes a real difference in how you manage the condition.

At Charm Optical in South Edmonton, we screen for cataracts during every comprehensive eye exam. Whether you're noticing changes in your vision or just keeping up with your eye health, our team at 5035 Ellerslie Rd SW is here to help. Give us a call at (780) 490-0090 or book your eye exam online.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This lens sits behind the iris (the coloured part of your eye) and works like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina so you can see clearly. When proteins in the lens break down and clump together over time, they form a cloudy area that blocks or scatters light. That's a cataract.

Think of it like looking through a foggy windshield. Everything is still there, but the clarity and sharpness you're used to fades gradually. Most cataracts develop slowly over years, not days or weeks. You might not even notice the earliest stages.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) estimates that by age 75, roughly half of all adults have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. In Canada, the numbers are similar. It's genuinely one of the most common age-related conditions.

How the Eye's Natural Lens Works

Your eye's lens is made mostly of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens transparent and allows light to pass through cleanly. As you age, some of that protein starts to clump and cloud a small area of the lens. Over time, the cloudy patch grows and affects more of your vision.

This process is completely separate from refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness. You can have a perfect prescription and still develop cataracts. That's why regular eye exams matter so much, especially once you pass 50.

Cataract Symptoms: What Edmonton Residents Should Watch For

Cataract symptoms tend to sneak up on you. Many Edmonton patients we see at Charm Optical don't come in because they suspect cataracts. They come in because night driving on the Henday has become stressful, or reading menus in restaurants feels harder than it used to. Here are the most common symptoms:

• Blurry or cloudy vision that isn't corrected by your current glasses
• Colours appear faded or yellowish, like looking through a tinted filter
• Increased sensitivity to glare, especially from headlights, sunlight, or overhead lighting
• Halos around lights, particularly noticeable during Edmonton's long winter evenings
• Frequent prescription changes that don't seem to hold for long
• Difficulty seeing in low light or needing brighter light to read
• Double vision in one eye (this happens in the early-to-mid stages)
• "Second sight" — a temporary improvement in near vision that actually signals lens changes

One thing that surprises a lot of people: cataracts can temporarily improve your reading vision before they make everything worse. This "second sight" happens because the swelling lens changes your focusing power. It feels like a welcome improvement, but it's actually a sign the cataract is progressing.

How Cataract Symptoms Progress Over Time

Cataracts don't appear overnight. They develop in stages, and knowing what each stage looks like can help you and your optometrist track the progression and plan accordingly.

Most people we see at our Ellerslie clinic are in the early-to-moderate stages. At that point, the cataract is detectable on exam, and we can start tracking it while managing your vision with updated glasses or lens coatings that reduce glare.

What Causes Cataracts?

The most common cause of cataracts is simply aging. After about age 40, the proteins in your eye's lens begin to break down. By 60, most people have some degree of lens clouding, whether they notice symptoms or not.

But age isn't the only factor. Research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology has identified several causes and contributing factors:

Age-Related Cataracts

These account for about 90% of all cases. The lens proteins (crystallins) gradually denature and aggregate over decades. It's a natural process that happens to virtually everyone who lives long enough. The speed at which it happens varies based on genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposure.

UV Radiation Exposure

This is the big modifiable risk factor. Ultraviolet light, particularly UV-B radiation, accelerates protein damage in the lens. The AAO recommends wearing UV-blocking sunglasses whenever you're outdoors. For Edmonton residents, this matters year-round. Our long sunny summer days are obvious, but winter UV exposure from snow reflection is just as significant. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, essentially doubling your exposure on a bright February afternoon.

Medical Conditions

Diabetes is a significant risk factor. High blood sugar levels cause the lens to swell and can accelerate cataract formation. People with diabetes often develop cataracts earlier than average and may experience faster progression.

Medications

Long-term use of corticosteroids (oral, inhaled, or topical eye drops) is strongly associated with posterior subcapsular cataracts. If you take prednisone or similar medications for conditions like asthma, arthritis, or autoimmune disorders, your optometrist will want to monitor your lenses more closely.

Trauma

A direct injury to the eye — from sports, an accident, or even previous eye surgery — can cause traumatic cataracts. These can develop soon after the injury or years later.

Other Contributing Factors

• Smoking — smokers have roughly double the risk of developing cataracts
• Heavy alcohol use — associated with increased cataract risk
• Family history — genetics play a role in how early cataracts develop
• Previous eye surgery or inflammation
• Prolonged exposure to radiation (occupational hazards)

Cataract Risk Factors: What You Can and Can't Control

Understanding your risk factors helps you make informed decisions about prevention and screening. Some factors are completely out of your hands. Others you can actively manage.

The takeaway here: you can't stop aging, but you can absolutely reduce your risk by wearing proper UV-blocking sunglasses, not smoking, managing diabetes, and eating well. Those are real, evidence-based steps that slow cataract development.

Types of Cataracts

Not all cataracts are the same. The type depends on where in the lens the clouding occurs and what caused it. Your optometrist can identify the type during a dilated eye exam.

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts

The most common type. These form in the centre (nucleus) of the lens and are directly related to aging. They progress slowly, often over years, and cause a gradual yellowing and hardening of the lens. This is the type that sometimes creates "second sight" — a temporary improvement in near vision before overall clarity declines.

Cortical Cataracts

These start as whitish, wedge-shaped opacities on the outer edge of the lens cortex and slowly extend inward like spokes of a wheel. They're more common in people with diabetes. Glare and difficulty with contrast are hallmark symptoms.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts

These form at the back of the lens, right in the path of light. They tend to progress faster than other types and affect reading vision and night vision early on. This type is often associated with steroid use, diabetes, or previous eye inflammation.

Congenital Cataracts

Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in early childhood. These may be genetic or caused by infection during pregnancy. Pediatric cataracts require early treatment to prevent permanent vision problems. If you have a family history, mention it during your child's eye exam.

When to See Your Eye Doctor About Cataracts in Edmonton

The honest answer: don't wait for symptoms. The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends comprehensive eye exams every one to two years for adults over 40, and annually after 65. Cataracts are often found during these routine exams well before you notice any vision changes.

That said, book an appointment sooner if you experience any of the following:

• Your vision has become noticeably blurry or hazy, even with your current glasses
• Night driving feels unsafe — glare from headlights and streetlights is overwhelming
• You need significantly more light to read or do close work
• Colours look washed out, yellowish, or less vivid than they used to
• Your glasses prescription has changed more than once in the past two years
• You're seeing double out of one eye

These symptoms don't automatically mean cataracts. Other conditions can cause similar issues, which is exactly why a proper eye exam matters. Your optometrist uses specialized equipment to examine the lens directly and determine whether a cataract is present, how advanced it is, and whether it's affecting your quality of life enough to warrant treatment.

If you live anywhere in South Edmonton — Ellerslie, Summerside, Walker, Rutherford, Callaghan, or The Orchards — our clinic is right in the neighbourhood. Book your $99 eye exam online or call (780) 490-0090.

Cataract Surgery: What Edmonton Patients Should Know

Cataract surgery is the only definitive treatment. No eye drops, supplements, or exercises can reverse a cataract once it's formed. The procedure replaces the clouded natural lens with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

When Is Surgery Recommended?

Surgery isn't automatic. In the early stages, updated glasses, anti-glare coatings, and better lighting can manage symptoms effectively. Your eye care team will recommend surgery when the cataract interferes significantly with your daily life — when you can no longer drive safely, read comfortably, or do the activities that matter to you.

How Cataract Surgery Works

Modern cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) is a day procedure performed under local anaesthesia. The surgeon makes a tiny incision, uses ultrasound to break up the cloudy lens, removes the fragments, and inserts a clear IOL. The entire procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes per eye.

In Canada, medically necessary cataract surgery is covered by provincial health plans, including Alberta Health Care. You won't pay out of pocket for the standard procedure. Premium IOLs (multifocal or toric IOLs that reduce dependence on glasses after surgery) may involve an additional cost.

Recovery

Most patients notice clearer vision within a few days. Full healing takes about four to six weeks. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation. You'll have follow-up appointments to monitor healing.

The success rate is excellent. The AAO reports that over 95% of patients have significantly improved vision after cataract surgery.

Cataract Surgery in Edmonton

Edmonton has several experienced ophthalmologists who perform cataract surgery. Your optometrist — whether that's us at Charm Optical or your family eye doctor — will refer you to a surgeon when the time is right. The referral process in Alberta is straightforward, and wait times vary depending on urgency and surgeon availability.

Your optometrist continues to play an important role after surgery, handling post-operative check-ups and prescribing your updated glasses once your eyes have healed.

Updating Your Glasses After Cataract Surgery in Edmonton

Here's something many patients don't realize: you'll almost certainly need new glasses after cataract surgery. The artificial lens implanted during surgery has a fixed focal point. Depending on the type of IOL you receive, you may need glasses for reading, distance, or both.

Your prescription will be different from your pre-surgery prescription, often dramatically different. Most ophthalmologists recommend waiting four to six weeks after surgery before getting a new prescription, as your vision stabilizes during that period.

What We Offer Post-Surgery Patients

At Charm Optical, we work with post-cataract surgery patients regularly. Here's what we typically recommend:

• Progressive lenses for patients who need both distance and reading correction after a monofocal IOL
• Anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare, which can be more noticeable with an IOL
• UV-protective lenses — your natural lens filtered some UV light; the IOL may not filter as much depending on the type
• Photochromic lenses (light-adaptive) for patients who find their eyes more light-sensitive after surgery

We carry frames from Ray-Ban, Oakley, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Maui Jim, Burberry, Persol, and many more. Whether you want a classic look or something modern, we'll help you find the right frame and lens combination for your updated prescription. Browse our glasses collection.

UV Protection and Cataract Prevention in Alberta

Alberta gets more sunshine than most Canadian provinces. Edmonton averages about 2,300 hours of sunshine per year, and UV exposure is a proven risk factor for cataract development. This isn't a scare tactic — it's straightforward science backed by decades of research.

UV protection matters year-round in Edmonton:

• Summer: Long days with intense UV, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. River valley hikes, patio time, festivals — your eyes are exposed for hours.
• Winter: Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays. A bright day in January or February can deliver more UV to your eyes than a cloudy summer afternoon. If you ski, snowshoe, or spend time outdoors in winter, UV-blocking eyewear is essential.
• Spring and Fall: UV levels fluctuate, but the sun sits lower on the horizon, which means more direct UV hits your eyes at normal viewing angles.

Choosing the Right Sunglasses

Not all sunglasses block UV equally. Look for lenses that block 99% to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays. Darker tint doesn't mean better UV protection — a cheap pair of dark sunglasses without UV coating can actually be worse than no sunglasses at all, because the dark tint causes your pupils to dilate, letting in more UV.

Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces (water, snow, pavement) but polarization alone doesn't block UV. You want both UV protection and polarization for the best combination.

We carry Maui Jim, Oakley, Ray-Ban, Persol, and other brands known for excellent UV protection in our sunglasses collection. Every pair we sell blocks 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays. If you're looking for prescription sunglasses, we can fit those too.

Eye Exams and Cataract Screening in Edmonton

A comprehensive eye exam is the single best way to detect cataracts early. During the exam, your optometrist examines the lens of your eye using a slit lamp — a microscope with a focused beam of light — to look for any clouding, changes in transparency, or early signs of protein breakdown.

At Charm Optical, our comprehensive eye exams include cataract screening as standard. There's no extra charge for it. We also check for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and other conditions that become more common with age.

Eye Exam Pricing

Our comprehensive eye exams are $99. This includes cataract screening, retinal examination, intraocular pressure measurement, and a full refraction (your glasses prescription).

Alberta Health Care covers annual eye exams for children under 19 and adults 65 and older. It also covers exams for patients with specific medical conditions, including those being monitored for cataracts. If you're between 19 and 64 without a qualifying medical condition, the exam fee applies — but your insurance may cover it partially or fully.

How Often Should You Get Screened?

• Ages 19–39: Every two to three years (annually if you have risk factors)
• Ages 40–64: Every one to two years
• Ages 65+: Annually (covered by Alberta Health Care)
• Diabetic patients: Annually, regardless of age

Our Ellerslie clinic serves patients from across South Edmonton, including Heritage Valley, Windermere, Chappelle, and Blackmud Creek. You can book online at see.charmoptical.ca or call (780) 490-0090.

Insurance Coverage for Cataract Eye Exams in Edmonton

We direct-bill to several major insurance providers, which means you pay less out of pocket at your visit. No need to submit claims yourself — we handle the paperwork.

Insurance We Direct-Bill

• Alberta Blue Cross
• Canada Life (formerly Great-West Life)
• Desjardins Insurance
• AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped)
• Alberta Works

Most employer-sponsored plans include annual or biennial eye exams and a glasses benefit. If you're being monitored for cataracts, your plan may cover more frequent exams. Bring your insurance card and we'll check your coverage before your appointment.

Don't have insurance? Our $99 exam fee is straightforward with no hidden charges. And if you need new glasses after your exam, we'll work with your budget. We carry frames at every price point, from our affordable Momono collection starting at $55 (frame + lenses) to premium designer brands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cataracts

Protect Your Vision — Book a Cataract Screening in Edmonton

Cataracts are a natural part of aging, but they don't have to catch you off guard. Regular eye exams are the most reliable way to detect them early and manage your vision through every stage — from the first subtle changes to post-surgery glasses if it comes to that.

At Charm Optical, we're your neighbourhood eye care team in South Edmonton. Whether you're concerned about cataracts, overdue for an exam, or need new glasses after surgery, we're here to help. Our comprehensive eye exams are $99, and we direct-bill to Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Desjardins, AISH, and Alberta Works.

Charm Optical
5035 Ellerslie Rd SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 1X2
(780) 490-0090
Book your eye exam online at see.charmoptical.ca