Cataract Surgery Question of the Day: Can I Have Cataract Surgery if I have Macular Degeneration?

Having Cataract Surgery is a decision that is made in concert with the recommendations of your Cataract Surgeon. Macular Degeneration can cause a range of loss of your central vision. It can be mild and only cause a minimal dimming or blurring of your vision-or Macular Degeneration can cause central scarring of the Retina and a profound loss of central vision. Cataracts cause less light to reach the Retina. Now-if you have both Macular Degeneration AND a Cataract, it really depends on the severity of the Macular Degeneration as to whether removing the cataract will improve your vision. In some cases it may-in others Cataract Surgery may allow more light in to the Retina but will not restore central vision because there is too much damage. Your Cataract Surgeon will do specialized testing to determine whether Cataract Surgery can improve your vision when you have Macular Degeneration.