A nurse is assisting with the admission of an older adult client. Which of the following subjective findings suggests that the client may have cataracts?

A. Sudden dimmed vision: Sudden vision changes are more indicative of acute ocular events such as retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or acute glaucoma. Cataracts typically progress slowly over months to years, producing gradual changes in visual clarity rather than abrupt dimming. Sudden visual loss warrants immediate evaluation for emergent conditions. B. Cloudy vision: Cloudy or blurred vision is a hallmark symptom of cataracts, resulting from progressive opacification of the lens. As light passes through the lens, scattering and reduced transparency interfere with clear image formation on the retina. Clients often report difficulty reading, glare from bright lights, or seeing halos around lights due to this lenticular clouding. C. Intermittent flashes of light: Flashes of light are usually associated with retinal traction or detachment, indicating that the retina is being mechanically stimulated. These visual phenomena are not typical of cataracts, which involve gradual lens opacity rather than retinal irritation or mechanical disruption. D. Pain in the eyes: Cataracts are generally painless because they involve lens opacification rather than inflammatory or pressure-related ocular pathology. Eye pain is more characteristic of conditions such as acute angle-closure glaucoma, uveitis, or corneal abrasions, which involve increased intraocular pressure or direct tissue irritation.