How do I know when it's time for cataract surgery?

There is an old belief that you must wait for a cataract to be “ripe” before it can be removed. That has not been true for many years, and a very advanced cataract can make surgery harder. So when is the right time?

The answer: when it affects your life

A cataract is worth treating when it starts to get in the way of the things you want to do. That looks different for everyone:

• You no longer feel safe driving at night because of glare around headlights.
• Reading, sewing, or your phone has become a strain even with the right glasses.
• Colours look dull or yellowed, or you need much brighter light than you used to.
• Your glasses prescription keeps changing and never quite fixes it.

If any of that sounds familiar, it is reasonable to have it checked, not because of a number on a chart, but because of how you are living day to day.

And the other side

If a cataract shows up on examination but isn’t troubling you, there is usually no rush. A small, early cataract that doesn’t affect your day can simply be watched. Cataract surgery has a high success rate, though no operation is free of risk. The right time is when the cataract affects your life.

How the decision is made

At an examination, your vision is measured, the cataract is examined, and, just as importantly, you are asked how it is affecting your daily life. The recommendation is one of two: treat it now, or watch it for now.