Issue 28.14
“I’ve heard that cataracts have to be ripe before you can take them out. How will I know if my cataracts are ripe?”
This is one of the most commonly asked questions we hear about when it comes to cataract surgery. This was actually a very good question many years ago when cataract surgery was a more invasive and risky procedure. In the past, doctors would encourage their patients to wait until their cataracts were quite advanced or “ripe”.
First, what is a cataract? Within the eye, you have a natural lens that helps focus light into a clear image. Over time, the lens with become cloudy and may even change from a clear lens to a yellow lens. Although usually not visually significant, you will start to see changes in the natural lens when someone enters into their 50’s and 60’s. Moderate to significant cataracts will reduce ones quality of vision to the point that cataract surgery is required to improve vision. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed from the eye and a man-made plastic lens is put in its place.
In recent years, cataract surgery has become one of the most common and refined surgical procedures performed. The recovery and healing period is shorter than ever before, and new technologies have made it a very safe procedure. Today, many patients are taking advantage of the new technologies available including laser assisted cataract surgery and specialty lenses. Oftentimes patients no longer need glasses after cataract surgery. However, there is no surgical procedure entirely void of risk. Therefore, cataract surgery is not recommended for everyone. Before recommending cataract surgery we ensure patients meet the follow criteria:
1. The symptoms from your cataracts are affecting your lifestyle.
I will always ask my patient if their blurry vision, glare or other visual symptoms are keeping them from doing regular daily activities. If so, then you may want to consider cataract surgery. For example, you like to sew but can no longer see to thread a needle; you need to drive at night, but glare from headlights bother you; or you enjoy reading, but seem like it is requiring more and more light to read comfortably.
2. Your cataracts are large enough to remove.
Cataracts no longer need to be very dense, or “ripe” in order to have cataract surgery. However, only your eye doctor will be able to tell you if your cataracts are advanced enough to remove.
Therefore, should I have cataract surgery? It’s almost inevitable: if you live long enough, at some point you will get cataracts. It’s really up to you as to when to have the surgery. Cataracts create vision problems such as halos, blurriness, glare and dimmed colors, and when the symptoms worsen, your quality of life and ability to perform everyday tasks will diminish. Ask yourself these two questions. 1) Have I been told I have a moderate to advanced cataract by my eye doctor? 2) Do I avoid certain tasks or am I unable to do certain activities because I struggle to see? You have answered yes to both of these questions, then it’s time for you to consider cataract surgery.
There’s no need to wait: get the surgery and get on with your life, seeing clearly again. Your eye doctor will be able to advise you as to the best time for removal. If you have any questions about cataracts, if you have a cataract or if cataract surgery is in your best interest, please call Richens Eye Center at 435.216.1226.