Cataracts are a common eye condition that primarily affects older adults, leading to impaired vision as the lens of the eye ages and becomes progressively opaque and cloudy.

Most Australian’s will have cataract damage by the age of 60 and many will have surgery in their lifetime to improve their vision.

While cataracts generally don’t require emergency treatment, they can significantly impact quality of life and knowing when to consider cataract surgery is important in planning for your future eye health and maintaining your visual acuity and overall well-being and lifestyle.

Having regular eye health checks with an optometrist and consulting with an ophthalmologist that specialises in cataracts is also an important aspect of understanding when to consider cataract surgery.

Below are some key factors to consider which will help you decide when the time is right for cataract surgery.

Difficulty Performing Daily Tasks

One of the primary reasons to consider cataract surgery is if your vision impairment starts affecting your ability to perform daily tasks. Cataracts can make it difficult to:

• Drive, especially at night, due to increased glare from headlights.
• Read or complete near tasks on computers or phones, even with strong glasses or magnifiers.
• Recognise faces or see television screens clearly.
• Complete household chores, such as cooking or cleaning, due to poor visibility.

If you find yourself struggling with these essential daily tasks or notice a decline in your overall functionality, it may be time to consult with your optometrist or eye doctor about cataract surgery.

Blurred or cloudy vision

Cataracts cause a gradual clouding of the eye’s lens, leading to blurry or foggy vision. This may start as a minor inconvenience but can worsen over time. Many people describe this vision impairment as looking through a frosted window. If you notice your vision becoming consistently blurry or cloudy, and it doesn’t improve with new glasses or stronger prescription lenses, surgery may be necessary.

Increased sensitivity to light and glare

Sensitivity to light and glare is another common symptom of cataracts. You may find it uncomfortable to be outside in bright sunlight, or you may experience significant glare while driving at night. This can be uncomfortable and dangerous, particularly when driving or performing activities that require clear vision. If bright lights and glare make everyday tasks difficult or uncomfortable to complete successfully, cataract surgery can be considered.

Changes in colour perception

Cataracts can alter your perception of colours, making them appear faded or yellowish, like a sepia photograph. This happens because the cloudy lens filters the light entering the eye, distorting or diminishing colour accuracy. If you notice that colours don’t seem as vivid, or you have trouble distinguishing between certain shades, it might be an indication that cataracts are advancing, and that surgery could improve your colour vision.

Prescription changes no longer help

In the early stages of cataracts, changing your glasses or contact lens prescription will likely temporarily improve your vision. However, as cataract damage progresses, you may find that frequent prescription changes no longer make a difference. If your optometrist or ophthalmologist has adjusted your prescription frequently in a short time frame and without much improvement, it might be time to consider cataract surgery as a more permanent solution.

Ophthalmologist recommended

The expertise of your ophthalmologist plays a crucial role in determining when cataract surgery should be considered. During an eye exam they will assess the development of cataracts and discuss your options. If your cataracts have reached a point where they significantly impact your vision and daily life, they may recommend surgery to restore clear sight.

You want to improve your quality of life

Cataract surgery is an elective procedure and ultimately, the decision to undergo this treatment is a personal one. If poor vision is affecting your quality of life – limiting your activities, making you feel less independent, or causing you frustration—surgery might be the right choice.

Cataract surgery is available in both public and private medical care environments. Depending on your personal preference, and if you have private health insurance, you can choose either. Understanding public versus private ophthalmic care for cataract surgery, and the differences in expectations, wait times, and costs between these two healthcare systems is important for when considering this treatment. We explore this topic in more detail in a recent blog here.

Life after cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is a safe, highly successful and routinely performed procedure that is life-changing for many, restoring independence and confidence.

It is an effective way to restore clear vision and for most patients, cataract surgery leads to clearer, sharper vision, making everyday tasks like reading, driving, and recognising faces easier and more enjoyable. Many people notice a dramatic improvement in their colour perception, as the yellow tint caused by cataracts disappears, and colours appear more vibrant.

Recovery is generally rapid and within a few days, most patients resume their normal activities, with full healing typically occurring within a month. You may need to use prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation and follow your eye doctor’s advice on activity restrictions during the early recovery period.

One of the most remarkable changes is the reduced reliance on glasses. Depending on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) implanted, some people no longer need glasses, especially for distance vision. However, reading glasses may still be required for close-up tasks. A range of different IOL’s can be used to. The range includes single vision and multifocal solutions. Your eye doctor will help you decide which IOL choice is right for you.

Next steps if you would like to consider cataract surgery

A referral to our care from your optometrist or GP is the first step.

The ophthalmologists at Adelaide Eye & Laser Centre are highly experienced and skilled in cataract surgery and are able to offer our patients this expertise.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our friendly team on 08 8274 7000 or by filling out the contact form here and we can assist you in booking a consultation with one of our cataract specialists.