“When should you have cataracts removed?”
I am a 42 year old female and I was diagnosed with cataracts. When should you have cataracts removed?
10 Answers
Cataracts should be removed when they start to affect your daily activity, also known as, Activities of Daily Living. With corrective glasses or contacts are you able to read, use your computer, drive a car at night? When cataracts start to limit your activities is when you are ready for surgery. All surgeries have risks, benefits, and alternatives The benefits of surgery should outweigh the risks.
Hello,
Cataract surgery is almost always elective and should only be undertaken if a noticeable limitation to one's lifestyle is encountered and can be attributed to the cataract. The purpose of surgery is to improve one's visual function
Cataract surgery is almost always elective and should only be undertaken if a noticeable limitation to one's lifestyle is encountered and can be attributed to the cataract. The purpose of surgery is to improve one's visual function
The time to remove cataracts is when they are sufficiently advanced to interfere visually with what is important in your life such as driving, or reading or what you do in your work place. Until then, they will do no harm.
In general, you should not remove cataracts until you are unable to do the activities you want to do comfortably, despite wearing glasses or contact lenses. You are very young to have cataracts, but I've seen people like you before. If your every day activities are unaffected, and your night vision for driving is okay, you should just wait. The intraocular lenses that are used to replace your natural lens are very good today, as are the surgical techniques, but in time they'll get even better; so, if you don't have a problem today, just wait, and take advantage of better technology in the future.
Great question.
You should have cataracts removed when they start to impair your vision and make it more difficult for you to perform your daily activities. Whether that’s reading, watching TV, playing sports, or even driving. Some patients begin to feel unsafe driving at night because of the glare that they experience with their cataracts. Once these things begin to happen you are a candidate for surgery, regardless of age.
Jason Gorscak, MD
Florida Eye
You should have cataracts removed when they start to impair your vision and make it more difficult for you to perform your daily activities. Whether that’s reading, watching TV, playing sports, or even driving. Some patients begin to feel unsafe driving at night because of the glare that they experience with their cataracts. Once these things begin to happen you are a candidate for surgery, regardless of age.
Jason Gorscak, MD
Florida Eye