How do you know when cataract surgery is needed?

Answer 1

It used to be "when they are ripe", but with medical technology you can now have cataracts removed as soon as your opthamologist sees the signs of a cataract forming. I've had cataracts removed off both eyes. It was a snap for me, but meticulous work for the surgeon. You go in as an out-patient (can remain in street clothes) and given an IV drip of Valium and 40 mins. later you are sitting in a wheel chair fully awake, feeling good, being given coffee or tea, a muffin and your vitals taken for 20 minutes, then sent home. I got home and made dinner and felt great. BETTER ANSWER It is true cataracts can be removed straight away, but you don't get given 'Valium' and if you were given Valium, you shouldn't have been making tea when you got home. its very dangerous. My anesthesiologist came out and talked to me before surgery and told me it was Valium drip! The anesthesiologist is well versed on how much anesthetic to give and told me I could go about my daily routine, but should not bend over for a week (which would put pressure behind my eyes.) I listen to the pros.

Answer 2

Cataract surgery is the removal of the cloudy natural lens of the eye with artificial lens replacement. Lasers are not used to remove the lens itself, but sometimes the capsule, which supports the lens, becomes cloudy and laser surgery is used to open the cloudy capsule. As in cataract surgery, a lens implant can be surgically placed in your eye, with your natural lens being removed. The lens is removed from the lens capsule, and in most patients the lens can be replaced with an implant. During cataract surgery, your doctor will remove the old, clouded lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens, or IOL. The only way to restore clear vision is to have the cloudy cataract lens surgically removed, while a replacement lens must be used to see clearly.

Answer 3

Senile cataract ( occuring in old age ) needs surgery if the person is unable to do his routine work. Common symptoms - unable to see long distance clearly, car driving is difficult, glare at night, TV is not clear, reading news paper or books is not possible. Vision loss due to cataract is gradual.

In cataract by birth ( congenital ) , the baby has to be operated as early as possible. Otherwise, vision will not develop normally.

Answer 4

If a person has a cataract, the vision impairment will not go away. It will just get worse over time, eventually leading to blindness.