When Should I Have My Cataracts Removed?
A cataract develops when the proteins in your eyes break down and build up on your natural lens, causing it to become cloudy. For a lot of people, this happens with age.
Cataracts can also occur due to certain medications, diseases like diabetes, previous eye surgery, and trauma. Most cataracts progress gradually and don’t disturb your vision in the early stages.
But with time, impaired vision from cataracts can interfere with your ability to carry out routine activities, making cataract removal necessary. Keep reading to learn more about when it’s time to have your cataracts removed!
Signs It’s Time for Cataract Surgery
When you have cataracts, most cataract surgeons recommend having them removed when they affect your quality of life. They may make it harder to do things like cook, hike, or read your favorite book.
Once you reach this point, it’s time to at least consider having cataract surgery. The one thing most cataract patients regret is putting off cataract surgery longer than necessary.
Below are some of the tell-tale signs that you might need cataract surgery sooner rather than later:
Blurry Vision
Having blurry vision due to cataracts is usually a sign of declining vision. As cataracts continue to grow and develop, you may struggle to see things clearly or sharply.
With blurred vision, you’re more likely to injure yourself. If your blurry vision worsens and glasses or contacts don’t help, you’ll need to have your cataracts removed.
Having More Trouble Driving at Night
You may experience excessive glare, particularly at night, because of cataracts. Headlights from other cars can also become blinding.
A common sign of having cataracts is seeing glare and halos around light sources. When you’re driving at night, this may become blinding or distracting.
Halos appear in different colors, which interferes with your ability to drive safely at night. If driving has become a struggle, see your eye doctor right away to discuss cataract surgery.
Having your cataracts removed will ensure your safety and the safety of everyone else on the road while driving. In the meantime, find a friend or family member that can drive you where you need to go at night to keep everyone on the road safe.
Spending Time Outside is Uncomfortable
If you have advanced cataracts, you may also experience glare during the day. Going outside in the sun might start to become especially painful.
Wearing sunglasses while outdoors may only provide minimal relief, leaving you uncomfortable and unable to see. If this is the case, you’ll benefit from talking to your eye doctor about having cataract surgery.
Your Prescription Keeps Changing
If your prescription doesn’t stop changing, the cause could be cataracts. Fluctuating vision due to cataracts doesn’t get better.
It reaches a point where glasses or contacts can no longer correct your vision. You may try stronger glasses or contact lenses but to no avail.
The only way to restore clear vision is to have your cataracts removed when that happens.
Faded Colors
When cataracts mature, they obtain a yellowish or brownish tint. Cataracts with a yellow or brown tint cause all the light entering your eye to have a yellow or brown hue.
As a result, it changes how you see color. As a result, you’ll find it difficult to tell different colors apart, like purple and green or blue and black. Colors may also look less vibrant and bright than they used to.
Difficulty in Low Light Settings
Cataracts in the early stages often won’t bother you. You may not even realize you have cataracts at first.
But as cataracts get thicker over time, you’ll require more light to see things both up close and far away from you. If you’re unable to see well unless there’s plenty of light, you should consider cataract surgery to have them removed.
Double Vision
Are you seeing two images in one eye? That could be a sign of cataracts.
Double vision can prevent you from performing daily tasks. It can also be quite disorienting.
Cataract removal may be the best solution if you’re having trouble seeing because of double vision. You may start to feel like your impaired vision holds you back from doing even the simplest tasks.
You No Longer Enjoy Your Hobbies
Poor vision can get in the way of enjoying your favorite pastimes. Yellowish, blurry, dim, and double vision caused by cataracts make it difficult to watch television, attend social events, participate in sports, and more.
It may start to feel like a burden whenever you try to leave the house because of your declining vision. These visual disturbances usually indicate that your cataracts have become severe enough to warrant removal.
Increased Sensitivity to Light
If being around light is bothering you, it’s essential to talk to your eye doctor as soon as possible. Increased sensitivity to light is a common cataract symptom and can cause significant discomfort.
Your eye doctor may suggest cataract removal before your vision changes continue to get worse.
How is Cataract Surgery Performed?
During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will numb your eyes and then create a tiny opening on the side of your cornea. Through that incision, they will remove the natural lens.
After removing the natural lens, your surgeon will put an artificial, clear lens in its place. The opening is left to heal on its own without stitches.
Cataract surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis.
It’s an effective and safe way to restore clear vision with a success rate of 98 percent or even higher. Having cataract surgery is the only way to treat cataracts and regain your ability to see clearly.
Best in Class Cataract Surgeons
Do you think you have cataracts, or it could be time to have your cataracts removed? Our expert team of eye doctors at Eye Consultants of North Dakota will carry out a comprehensive evaluation and recommend the right time for cataract surgery.
Schedule a cataract screening at Eye Consultants of North Dakota in Fargo, ND, today! Isn’t it time to get your ability to see back?