Delaying Cataract Surgery - Any associated dangers?

[ravip]

Should cataract surgery be done immediately on diagnosis?

Are there any 'stages' of cataracts and what are the time lines, if there are?

Any information is much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[scubascuba3]

I thought I'd ask Deep Seek, usually get good answers

[camper star]

Thank you for posting this.

[transam]

In my case, it just got worse, I left it to a time when I really couldn't do anything, even driving, so it was over many years.

I had both eyes done, after I thought, I should have had this done years ago, a new life.

 

I had worn glasses all my life, from the age of around 10, which I hated, after the new lenses were installed, I now only use glasses for reading and PC work.........

[unblocktheplanet]

Trouble is if you have concomitant eye conditions. I have open-angle glaucoma & AMD as well as cataracts. Trying to decide if it's worth it.

[camper star]

me, my eyes are always watery and at the night the bicycle nights really blind me that as i pass them up i slow down

 

[Sheryl]

Cataracts should be removed once they impair your vision enough to interfere with daily life. This is often many, many years after first  diagnosis. 

[jas007]

Eight years ago, I had cataract surgery, First one eye, and then one moth later, the other eye.  At the time, one eye was most definitely worse than the other, but somehow the doctor was able to get authorization from Medicare (I was in the USA) to do both eyes.  

 

Anyway, I think each person is different. Some people might be better doing it sooner, rather than later. I was extremely myopic in both eyes. I developed a retinal tear in my right eye, six or seven moths later. right eye, so I needed surgery to repair that.  That surgery went well, but then last spring, I needed more surgery, as the entire lens bag had become detached and was floating around in my eye.  So I needed surgery for that, under general anesthesia.  I'm now fully recovered from that and I have a follow up appointment next month in Bangkok.

 

Bottom line: I might have been better off doing the original surgery sooner, rather than waiting as long as I did.  The older you get, the more possible complications with any additional surgeries that might be necessary. 

[KhunLA]

@ravip  This obviously depends on your stage of cataract progression, but you can delay, possibly even reverse cataract progression with drops.   Strangely, that option isn't available in the USA, as banned for human use, but allowed for pets ... go figure.  

 

Hate to stop the money maker of cataract surgery.

 

My experience, and I'm not a doc or endorse or recommend this for anyone, just my experience.

 

Couple years now, during check up, left eye showed cataract, and I did not noticed, unless doing the lettered eye test, then obvious, blurred.   TBH, i barely noticed it, as my right eye is my power eye, and I'm an avid photographer, and edit photos.  Already had floaties, and why I had the exam to begin with, make sure no tears elsewhere.

 

To the drops, when getting a 2nd opinion (in TH), 2nd optometrist when asked how to prolong it worsening, gave me eye drops, stating might works, or not.   Brand 'Kary Uni', which has done exactly as I hoped, stopped the progression.   

 

Really don't like the idea of someone doing surgery on my eye, especially while I'm awake.   Right eye seems fine, and all I care about.  though if lost left eye, that would mess with my depth perception and safe driving ability.

 

At 70 years old, if drops continue to work, and cheap enough, I'll pass on eye surgery to remove cataract.  Don't have to worry about a surgery oops, as routine as it is, sh!t happens, and I get to save money.  Hate to have surgery, then crap out in a year 

 

The drops do dissolve the cataract, whether old or new growth, it hasn't progressed.   When I wake in the morning, the left eye has considerably more crusties in the corners, than the right eye.  Proof for me, it works .... for me.

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Cataracts should be removed once they impair your vision enough to interfere with daily life. This is often many, many years after first  diagnosis. 

Thanks for that. I was about to post something similar. I assisted at many cataract operations and nothing I saw indicates necessity to be done soon as possible.

If it was me, I'd put it off as long as possible.