Time to Remove Cataracts

Question: I have cataracts in both eyes and my eye doctor said they can’t be removed until about 2 years from now. My right eye is worse than the left and although my eyes have always been sensitive the cataracts really bother me now. I want to know why I have a cousin that is 10 years younger than me and he was able to have his cataracts removed.

Answer: The time to remove cataracts is when they are bothersome enough so as to cause you sufficient visual discomfort, inconvenience or limit your mobility and safety in your daily activities. This usually means that there is noticeable blurry, cloudy or fuzzy vision with or without glare or light sensitivity. While many insurances and Medicare have certain thresholds of vision loss and symptoms that must be met in order for them to pay for cataract surgery and lens implants, it is pretty typical to have met these standards if you are manifesting the degree of symptoms described. In the distant past it was necessary for cataracts to be “ripe” before they could be removed. That is simply not the case today with modern cataract surgery techniques. If you are not satisfied with the opinion of your eye doctor it would be a good idea to consider scheduling an appointment for an examination and consultation with the best cataract surgeon you can find in your area and see what they recommend.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.