When should you have cataract surgery?

A widespread — and mistaken — idea is that you have to wait until a cataract is "ripe" before having surgery. In modern ophthalmology that no longer applies: the right time for surgery is when the cataract starts interfering with your daily activities, not when it reaches a certain grade on an exam.

If you're struggling to drive at night, read comfortably, recognize faces at a distance, or do your job with the same confidence as before, it's time to consider surgery — regardless of how "advanced" the cataract looks on examination.

Waiting too long doesn't help either: a very advanced cataract can make surgery more complex and, in some cases, raise the risk of complications. The decision is made together, weighing your vision, your lifestyle, and the exam findings.