Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions that accompany advancing age. They gradually cloud the natural lens of your eye and affect vision. In the early stages, you may experience only minor blurriness, which can be temporarily rectified with glasses or brighter lighting.
However, as the condition progresses, vision becomes increasingly hazy, colours look faded, and everyday tasks like reading, driving, or recognizing faces can become challenging. This is when cataract treatment becomes essential.
As of now, cataract surgery is the only treatment for correcting cataracts. The surgery replaces the defective natural eye lens with a clear artificial lens. And it is one of the most commonly performed and highly successful eye procedures across the world.
However, some people tend to postpone their cataract surgery – often due to fear, lack of awareness, or the belief that they will be able to “manage” for a little longer. Let’s see why delaying cataract surgery is not a good option:
1. Vision Will Only Get Worse
Cataracts do not improve on their own. They continue to develop slowly but steadily. Over time, the cloudy lens continues to thicken, making it harder for light to enter the eye. This leads to increasingly blurred or dim vision. A time comes when even simple activities like cooking or walking safely become difficult.
2. Increased Risk of Falls and Accidents
As cataracts progress, it may even become hard to judge distances or spot obstacles. Such poor vision from advanced cataracts can increase the risk of falls, especially in older adults, and can also make driving hazardous. Timely surgery helps restore clear vision so that you do not have to face such risks.
3. Surgery Becomes More Complicated if You Wait Too Long
In the advanced stages, cataracts can become “mature” or “hyper-mature,” making the lens harder and more difficult to remove. Because of this, surgery may take longer. In other words, surgery could be more time-consuming. It may also increase the risk of complications, and even recovery may be slower. Early intervention ensures a smoother procedure with better outcomes.
4. Your Quality of Life Suffers
Good vision is essential to independence. Only if you can see clearly can you enjoy life. Postponing cataract surgery can affect your ability to read, watch television, engage in hobbies, or spend time with loved ones. It impacts your self-confidence and makes you feel low. Many patients are surprised when they regain clear sight after surgery. They are amazed at how bright and clear the world looks – they often wish they had got the surgery done earlier.
5. Modern Surgery is Quick, Safe, and Painless
Today, cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful eye procedures. It is usually performed as a day-care surgery – requires no hospital stay. Additionally, it takes less than 30 minutes and patients recover fast as they are able to see with considerable clarity in just 24 hours. Also, recovery is rapid with minimal discomfort and pain.
What’s more, apart from MICS (Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery) and FLACS (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery), now you can also avail yourself of the most advanced Robotic AI Cataract Surgery along with a choice of premium lenses – to get superior vision clarity that this highly customised and blade-free procedure brings.
The Bottom Line
In the past, advanced medical technologies were missing. So, cataract patients had to suffer silently and many would lose sight, but thankfully, it is no longer so. If cataracts have begun affecting your daily activities, it would be better not to postpone your cataract surgery. Timely surgery not only restores clear vision but also protects your long-term eye health, so that you can continue to enjoy life in all its colours and hues.
Need expert advice on cataracts and which cataract surgery would be most suitable for you? Get in touch with Dr. Amanpreet Kaur, a trusted cataract specialist in Chandigarh. With an experience of more than 20 years and credited with giving the gift of clear vision to thousands of people, Dr. Amanpreet Kaur is Senior Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, Sohana Eye Hospital. Visit Sohana Eye Hospital for the most advanced eye care in North India.
Take advantage of the modern eye procedures and keep your eyes sparkling bright with life. See clearly, live fully!
