Cataracts are a common eye condition that happen with age. They cause the natural lens of your eye to become cloudy causing blurry vision, difficulty in bright lights, and poor night vision. While cataracts develop slowly, if left untreated for long, they significantly impact your vision and day-to-day activities. At this stage, cataract eye surgery becomes a necessary option.
So, how to know the right time for cataract surgery? In this blog we will explore the key signs, symptoms, and factors to consider before making a decision.
What Are Eye Cataracts?
Cataract is an eye condition where the eye’s natural lens gets clouded. It happens when proteins in the eye lens break down and form clumps, leading to blurred or dimmed vision. Cataracts mostly develop due to aging, genetics, prolonged exposure to UV rays, and medical conditions like diabetes, or hypertension.
Cataracts do not appear overnight, they progress slowly. A stage comes when cataract affects everyday tasks like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. If left undiagnosed or untreated for long, it can also lead to blindness.
Top Signs That Indicate You Need Cataract Surgery
In early stages of cataract, it may be possible to manage with prescription glasses. However, surgery becomes the only option when cataracts become severe and impact daily life significantly. Following are the signs that indicate the immediate need for cataract surgery:
- Blurry or Cloudy Vision
If you feel like you are constantly looking through a foggy window or a smudged glass, your eyes may have cataracts.
- Increased Light Sensitivity
Cataracts can cause extreme sensitivity to bright lights like harsh sunlight and car headlights. If you experience discomfort in bright environments, or see halos around lights, it may be time to consider cataract surgery.
- Poor Night Vision
One of the biggest red flags for cataract surgery is poor night vision and difficulty in driving at night. Cataracts can cause glare from headlights, making it very dangerous to drive. If you find night driving stressful, it is a strong indication that surgery might be necessary.
- Difficulty In Day To Day Activities
Do you struggle to focus on text or images and adjusting the brightness on your screens or increasing the font size no longer helps, cataracts may be interfering with your vision and it’s time to get them treated surgically.
- Frequent Changes in Specs Number
Are you needing new glasses or contact lenses more often than usual? It could be because of cataracts as they cause frequent shifts in vision. When glasses no longer improve your sight significantly, it may be time for cataract surgery.
- Fading or Yellowing of Colors
Cataracts can cause colors to appear dull or yellowish, making it difficult to distinguish between shades. If the world around you looks less vibrant, cataracts may be to blame.
- Double Vision
Seeing double in one eye (monocular double vision). While this is not a very common symptom of cataracts, it is a sign that the eye lens is becoming increasingly cloudy and needs to be treated.
When Is the Right Time for Cataract Surgery?
It is important to understand that cataract surgery is not an emergency procedure. However, waiting too long can lead to complications, and increase the risk of vision loss. Here’s how to decide if it is the right time for you or a loved one to undergo cataract surgery:
- When cataracts interfere with daily activities: If you struggle with tasks like reading, driving etc. surgery can restore clear vision.
- When glasses or contact lenses no longer help: If your vision does not improve despite frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, surgery may be the best option.
- When your quality of life is affected: If your vision problems limit your independence and the ability to do daily activities, cataract surgery can improve your overall well-being.
- When your eye doctor recommends it: Your ophthalmologist will assess the severity of your cataracts and help you decide the right time for surgery.
Types Of Cataract Surgery & What To Expect
Modern Cataract surgery is AI-based and robotic, making it a safe and highly effective procedure. It involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure is quick and painless i.e, gets done about 15-30 minutes, and is performed under local anesthesia.
Cataract eye surgery has three main types:
| Phacoemulsification (Phaco) | Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) | Robotic + AI Cataract Surgery |
| It is the most common technique for cataract removal and uses ultrasound waves to break the cloudy lens into small pieces. These are then removed and an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted to restore vision. | This is a bladeless and more precise version of cataract surgery that uses a laser to make incisions. It offers quicker recovery and better accuracy compared to other treatments | This breakthrough procedure integrates Callisto system and FEMTO laser. It allows real-time eye tracking & high-definition imaging for a highly customized and blade-free cataract removal experience. |
Recovery Tips:
- Vision usually improves in a few days
- Full recovery in 4 – 6 weeks
- New lenses (IOLs )may reduce the need for glasses
Prevention Tips
While cataracts mostly happen with age, you can take the following steps to slow their progression:
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods (leafy greens, fruits, fish)
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
- Manage diabetes and blood pressure
- Get regular eye checkups
Final Thoughts
Lets understand that cataracts are a natural part of aging, but they don’t have to limit your vision or quality of life. If you have the symptoms and find it difficult to do daily tasks, you must consult an eye specialist. Robotic plus AI cataract surgery is a life-changing procedure that restores clarity in a painless, precise, and quick way.
Still unsure if you need cataract surgery or looking for an eye hospital in Mohali? Book a consultation with our expert cataract surgeons at Sohana Eye Hospital for a comprehensive eye check-up. Life is too short to be limited by dull vision! Make the world around you bright and vibrant again, get your eyes tested and treated for cataracts today!
