You have a lens in the front part of your eye which has become cloudy; this can affect your vision and is like trying to look through a dirty window; this is called a cataract. As a cataract gets cloudier your Optometrist may suggest you consider having an operation to remove the cataract.

Need

A cataract operation aims to improve your eyesight and quality of life, but it isn’t a medical necessity; it’s up to you if you want to have the operation or not. Your optometrist, friends and family can offer advice, but you are the only person who knows how much your eyesight is affecting you.

• Do you have difficulty reading or do you find it difficult doing things around the home, such as watching television, reading labels, reading letters or seeing dials on the cooker?
• Does your eyesight stop you doing any hobbies, or do you feel unsafe going outside because your eyesight has deteriorated?
• Do you have difficulty recognising someone’s face across the street or reading signs or seeing bus numbers?
• Has your optometrist told you that you are no longer able to drive because of poor eyesight?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then surgery might be worth considering. If you have a significantly cloudy cataract, it is harder for the Optometrist or doctor to see inside your eye. This means they may be unable to detect or assess other eye problems at the back of your eye.

Benefit

During the operation the cloudy lens is surgically removed and replaced with an artificial lens. This should improve your eyesight so that you can do the things you are currently finding difficult. You would usually still need to wear glasses after the operation to see as clearly as possible. Cataract surgery may not be appropriate if you have other medical conditions that affect your eyes.

Risk

Yes, there are risks associated with surgery; so, if your eyesight is not causing you any major problems on a day-to-day basis then please consider why you would want an operation.

Broadly speaking, the risks of surgery include bleeding, infection, swelling and damage to structures in the eye that may need a second operation. Any complication has the potential to make your vision worse instead of better.

A serious complication that could make your vision worse occurs in less than 2 out of 100 people who have the operation. When a cataract is significantly advanced there is a slightly higher risk of complications.

Choice

Your Optometrist will discuss possible alternatives to surgery with you:

• Vision – new glasses may improve your vision, but not always
• Reading – magnifiers might help you with reading and other short distance activities
• Driving – your Optometrist will advise you what you need to do if you decide not to have surgery

If I Don’t…

It can take many months or even years for cataracts to develop, but your vision will probably get worse. When advanced, cataract can cause significant problems with your vision.