Cataracts are the most common ocular disease in the elderly population. One of the biggest decisions with cataracts is to determine when to pursue a surgical intervention for cataracts.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts form in the crystalline lens inside of the eyes. As we age, the crystalline lens becomes cloudy and eventually affects vision and forms a cataract.
The formation of cataracts is a natural process of aging but can be exacerbated by conditions such as diabetes.
How are Cataracts Treated?
Cataracts can only be treated by removing the crystalline lens in the eye through a surgical procedure.
Glasses and contact lenses will not improve vision that is affected by cataracts.
While the only true treatment for cataracts is surgery, it is possible for glasses and contact lenses to continue to provide suitable vision even with a cataract.
Factors to Consider Before Cataract Surgery
Before cataract surgery, it is important to consider many factors. Among these factors are the potential best vision after cataract surgery, potential for complications during surgery, and the amount that the cataract is affecting vision.
While there are other factors at play in any decision to have or not to have a surgery, these factors are among the most important.
Potential Best Vision After Cataract Surgery
One factor to always consider before electing to have cataract surgery is what the best possible vision after the surgery will be.
Not everyone can be corrected to 20/20 after cataract surgery.
While it is likely that cataract surgery can improve vision, but it does not always guarantee that vision after surgery will be perfect with or without glasses.
Many people will need reading glasses or a bifocal after cataract surgery to see clearly.
There are some cases in which vision cannot be improved to a level of 20/20 vision even with glasses.
Potential causes of reduced vision after surgery include macular degeneration, retinal diseases, and inflammation after the surgery.
Potential Complications During Cataract Surgery
While cataract surgery is a very safe procedure and has relatively few risks associated with it, there are certain populations which are more likely to experience complications.
Some medications and other conditions can predispose people to an increase in risks from cataract surgery.
Medications such as Flomax can cause floppy iris syndrome which increases the risk of complications during cataract surgery and during the recovery from the surgery.
Conditions including Fuch’s corneal dystrophy and pseudoexfoliation syndrome pose significant risks when performing cataract surgery.
Other medical conditions like diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, and sleep apnea may also increase risks with cataract surgery or increase the length of recovery time.
Amount of Impact on Vision
Perhaps the most important factor to consider before pursuing cataract surgery is the degree to which the cataract is impacting vision or the health of the eyes.
There are multiple ways that cataracts can affect vision including blur, glare, and color distortion.
If the cataract is impacting your daily activities, such as driving, watching TV, or cooking, it is likely that cataract surgery will be beneficial despite the risks.
However, if the cataract is not directly impacting your life, it may be worth waiting for the cataract to progress before undergoing surgery.
How to Decide if Cataract Surgery is Right For You
Considering all of your options, you may still struggle to determine whether you want to pursue cataract surgery.
It is completely fine to schedule a surgical consultation and discuss your options with your surgeon before finally deciding on whether or not cataract surgery is right for you.
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