Second Sight

What Is Second Sight?

Second sight is a phenomenon that occurs when a cataract is forming. It’s called second sight because it can temporarily improve a person’s ability to see things close-up.

What Causes Second Sight?

The development of cataracts is a natural part of the aging process. As cataracts develop, vision usually deteriorates. However, some people who already wear glasses to correct near or distance vision may notice an improvement in their sight.

This happens because cataract growth changes the way light refracts through the eye’s lens. This change can sometimes cause the light to hit the focal point of the retina directly, which corrects the refractive error — almost like an internal pair of glasses.

Treatment for Cataracts

A possible treatment for the development of cataracts is cataract surgery. With this surgery, the cloudy lens is taken out and replaced with an artificial one.

Secondary cataracts (a clouding of the artificial lens) can also be treated through YAG laser capsulotomy. While it may sound rather complex, it is a clinical procedure that can fix your vision problems in a few minutes.

Since cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, you, unfortunately, can’t prevent them from forming. However, there are a few things that can speed up their formation including UV rays, eye injuries, and certain systemic health conditions.

Wearing sunglasses when you are outdoors, even on cloudy days, can help slow down the formation of cataracts as well as preventing other eye issues. Protecting the eye from injury by wearing proper safety gear and goggles is another step that can be taken. Also, getting routine physicals and living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent premature cataracts from forming.

You can use the VisionCheck from EyeQue to track your vision. Our smartphone-compatible technology allows you to test your vision as often as you would like, from anywhere. If you notice unusual changes to your vision and suspect cataracts are the cause, you should bring it up with your eye doctor.