Do you know that cataracts can be treated in their early stages? Cataract surgery is only necessary when the vision loss is significant. So, when is the right time to have cataract surgery? Generally, it's not necessary to rush into surgery as long as your vision is still good. However, if your daily activities are being affected by blurred vision and other symptoms of a cataract, it may be time to consider surgery. In most cases, waiting to have cataract surgery won't harm your eye, so you'll have time to consider your options.
If your vision is still good enough, you may not need cataract surgery for many years, if ever. The doctor doesn't have to wait until cataract symptoms are severe before removing the lens. In most cases, surgery is needed when blurred vision and other symptoms of a cataract begin to interfere with daily activities, such as reading or driving. Many doctors recommend removing cataracts as soon as they begin to disrupt your daily activities. One of the most common complaints of people who suffer from an immature cataract is difficulty seeing at night, but removing a cataract at an early stage can help eliminate this problem, making driving easier, safer and more comfortable.
About 90% of the time, people see better after surgery than before they had cataracts. During phacoemulsification, the most common type of cataract surgery, the tip of the ultrasound probe vibrates rapidly and emulsifies the cataract which is then sucked out by the surgeon (top).It's important to consider the financial obligation that comes with cataract surgery. For people who have started to notice decreased vision or glare, cataract surgery may be one of the best things they can do on their own. This condition is considered part of a pre-cataract stage and patients who have it may opt for cataract surgery as soon as symptoms appear.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor will usually schedule the second surgery after the first eye has healed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications for prostate problems as some of these medications may interfere with cataract surgery. If possible, it may be beneficial to evaluate and treat other eye problems before making the decision to have cataract surgery. If you've been diagnosed with a moderate-stage cataract, there are some options your eye doctor might recommend to help you cope with symptoms before undergoing cataract surgery such as prescribing stronger corrective lenses or using brighter lights to read. Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens from the eye and in most cases replace it with an artificial lens. Sometimes, cataract surgery doesn't improve vision because of underlying eye damage caused by other conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
