Medically Reviewed by: Mark L. Mayo, M.D.
How Do You Know When to Have Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts are among the most common causes of vision changes as you age. Age-related cataracts can cause symptoms like blurry vision, difficulty seeing in low light, and cloudy patches in your field of vision.
The only way to treat cataracts is with cataract surgery. Although it may sound daunting, it does not have to be. Cataract surgery can be life-changing for many patients, allowing them to resume activities and they feel more confident! Keep reading to find out how to know when to have cataract surgery!
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts develop on the natural lens of your eye. The lens is a clear, flexible structure made of proteins that helps focus light onto the retina.
Over time, the proteins that make up the crystalline lens deteriorate and develop clumps. These clumps cause discoloration or cloudy spots on the lens, affecting your vision.
Most cataracts are age-related, meaning you will eventually develop them due to aging. Cataracts can also be congenital or develop due to an illness or injury.
Cataracts usually develop slowly and are quite small initially. They may not affect your vision, meaning you could have them for years without realizing it.
You may only find out you have cataracts once your eye doctor diagnoses you with them. Over time, cataracts can spread and cover more of the surface of your natural lens.
This limits the amount of light that reaches the retina and affects vision. As cataracts progress, you may start noticing more changes to your vision that worsen over time.
Common Symptoms of Cataracts
If you have cataracts, you may experience common symptoms like:
Your Vision is Cloudy or Blurry
Cataracts make it harder for your eyes to focus. Because of this, you may notice your vision is cloudier or blurrier.
Many cataract patients say it feels like looking at the world through a dirty or foggy window. You may also notice that your vision seems hazy when you have cataracts.
Colors Seem Dimmer
Cataracts can cause a brownish or yellowish discoloration to the lens, so it may feel like you are seeing through a brown or yellow filter. This can make colors seem duller, less vibrant, or dimmer.
You See Glare or Halos Around Lights
Cataracts may increase glare in bright light or make you see halos around lights. Experiencing these symptoms can be particularly noticeable around streetlights or headlights when driving at night.
If you find driving at night is no longer tolerable because of these symptoms, find a friend or family member who can drive you until you have cataract surgery.
You Need Brighter Lighting
Cataracts prevent as much light from reaching the retina. Due to this, you may need brighter lighting for activities that require fine focus, like reading and driving.
You Require More Frequent Prescription Changes
As cataracts progress and change, you may notice that you need more frequent prescription changes for your glasses or contact lenses. Eventually, your visual aids will no longer be able to correct your vision, making cataract surgery your only option.
You Have Cloudy Patches of Vision
You may reach a point where cataracts cause a permanent cloudy patch in your field of vision, which can significantly disrupt your ability to see. Having cataract surgery will remove this and improve your vision.
Do You Need Cataract Surgery?
How Do You Manage Cataracts?
If you discover you have cataracts, you may think you need cataract surgery immediately. However, for most patients, this is not the case.
Cataracts develop incredibly slowly, and most cataract surgeons only recommend the procedure if cataracts are significantly affecting your quality of life. If you can no longer do the things you love, then it is time to consider the procedure.
When cataract symptoms are mild, you can manage them by making a few simple changes, such as:
- Using brighter lighting in your home or office
- Turning up the brightness on your phone or computer screen
- Get your prescription updated as needed
- Increase the font size to help with reading, or use a magnifying lens for reading printed materials
- Arrange for rides or use rideshare apps instead of driving at night
If you think you have cataracts, see your optometrist so they can monitor your cataracts. During routine eye exams, your eye doctor will track your cataract progression and determine when it is time for cataract surgery.
Signs You’re Ready for Cataract Surgery
A lot goes into determining when it is time for cataract surgery. However, one of the most important is if you can no longer do basic tasks.
Most cataract surgeons say you are ready for cataract surgery when your cataracts interfere with activities you love to do or basic, everyday tasks. You can ask yourself some questions about how cataracts are affecting your daily life, such as:
- Does your vision make it more difficult to cook dinner? Are you worried about injuring yourself with a knife or getting burned on the stove because you cannot see well?
- Is it challenging to get together with friends? Do you need help navigating outdoors or in unfamiliar places? Do you find yourself declining plans because you are worried about not being able to see well in a new place?
- Are you worried about falls or other injuries because of your vision?
- Is participating in family activities like playing games or reading stories to your children or grandchildren too difficult? Are you reluctant to travel to visit family?
- Do you avoid leaving the house because you cannot see well? Have you stopped attending social gatherings, worship services, classes, or club meetings? Has this caused you to feel lonely, isolated, or depressed?
If you feel like cataracts are limiting your activities, affecting your safety, or impacting your mental health, it is time to consider cataract surgery.
What to Expect During Cataract Surgery and Recovery
During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will replace your natural lens with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). IOLs help ensure you can see clearly after cataract surgery.
Because cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, you will go home after it is over. Numbing eye drops are used to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, the cataract will be removed from your second eye once the first has finished healing. After having the procedure, you can look forward to a quick recovery.
Although you may experience blurry vision for a few days, you will start noticing visual improvements as this goes away. You will also need to use prescription eye drops as directed to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
We understand that choosing a cataract surgeon is a crucial decision that can impact your vision and quality of life. That is why our surgeons offer a personalized procedure that will be right for your vision and uses only the most advanced cataract surgical techniques and technology. Our doctors are committed to providing the highest level of care and achieving the best possible outcomes for all our patients.
Are you ready to say goodbye to cataracts and hello to better vision? It is time to request your appointment at Eye Center of Texas in Houston, TX, today.
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