When you think of eye conditions affecting people in their 30s, cataracts probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind. But in a recent appearance on The New York Times 'Popcast', 43-year-old actress Anne Hathaway shocked fans by revealing she spent a decade quietly battling the condition. “I was half blind for 10 years,” Hathaway shared. The Devil Wears Prada actor explained that in her 30s – during which time she starred in blockbuster films including Les Miserables, Interstellar, The Intern, Oceans 8 and The Hustle – she suffered from early-onset cataracts that impacted her vision so severely she was “basically legally blind” out of her left eye. She ultimately underwent surgery, calling her restored vision a “miracle” and noting that she hadn't realised how heavily the vision loss had been taxing her nervous system. “I didn’t realise how bad it had gotten until I could finally see the full spectrum,” she added.
Hathaway’s candid confession has sparked a massive spike in curiosity. How does a 30-something develop cataracts? And what are the warning signs we should all be looking out for? What are cataracts?
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in adults worldwide. “A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens,” Chemist Warehouse Optometrist Peter Larsen says. “Because it often develops gradually, people may not realise how much vision they have lost, particularly if the other eye is still seeing well.” He says the lens is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. This cloudiness distorts the light, leading to a progressive decline in vision. Can you get cataracts in your 30s? Most of us associate cataracts with the natural aging process and, while the majority of cases develop in people over the age of 60, early-onset (or pre-senile) cataracts can occur in younger adults. “Anne Hathaway’s story is a useful reminder that cataracts are not only an older person’s issue,” Larsen says. “While they are much more common with age, cataracts can occur earlier due to genetics, trauma, diabetes, inflammation, high myopia, previous eye surgery, or long-term steroid use. “In some cases, there may be no obvious cause.” Subtle vision-loss symptoms you shouldn’t ignore Because early-onset cataracts develop painlessly and often slowly, it is easy to dismiss the early signs as just "tired eyes" or needing a new glasses prescription.
The most common symptoms include: Cloudy or blurred vision: A general lack of sharpness that can't be fixed by blinking. Having cataracts has been described as looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Trouble seeing at night: This is often one of the first signs, making night driving particularly stressful. Light and glare sensitivity: Lamps, sunlight, or headlights may seem painfully bright.
Seeing ‘halos’: Noticeable rings of light appearing around light sources. Fading colours: Everything begins to look slightly yellow or brown. The mental health toll of vision loss One of the most relatable parts of Hathaway's revelation was her comment on the physical and emotional toll the condition took on her. “I didn't realise it was actually taxing my nervous system,” she admitted. A recent study also found people suffering from eye strain were more likely to report mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety and stress.
It was also associated with reduced sleep quality and difficulties in certain aspects of daily functioning.