Treating Cataract - Cataract: Eye Care

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Treating cataract

Surgical removal of the clouded lens is the only effective cure for cataract. There are no drugs, eye drops, diets, exercises, or glasses proven to cure or reverse the problem. When cataract is the only disease present, surgery is usually very successful.

However, a diagnosis of cataract doesn't mean immediate surgery; in some cases, the lens will simply thicken, causing nearsightedness, rather than becoming opaque. In these instances, if vision is only slightly blurry, an adjustment in eyeglass prescription and stronger lighting may suffice. Indeed, many people successfully delay the procedure for years, while others never need it.

Two factors should influence the decision to have cataract surgery: degree of vision loss and how much this loss interferes with such daily activities as reading, driving, watching television, or using a computer. When safety becomes a concern, such as when you are driving a car or maneuvering stairs, it's time to consider cataract surgery. A study published in 2002 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with cataracts who underwent surgery were half as likely to get into a motor vehicle accident compared with those who did not have surgery. Those who rely on their eyes for detailed work — such as architects, dentists, and jewelers — are likely to require surgery sooner than others.

If your doctor determines that you have cataracts in both eyes, he or she may recommend operating first on the eye with the denser cataract (and poorer vision). If surgery is successful and your vision improves substantially, you may not need to have surgery on your other eye. However, most patients note significant benefits from having the second eye operation, and people will frequently choose to have the second surgery once the first eye is healed and vision is stable.

There are some situations in which cataract is not the only problem, and your doctor may recommend cataract surgery even if your vision is only partially impaired. For example, if you have a hole in the retina or macula or retinal detachment, the doctor may recommend surgery because the cataract impedes proper examination and management of those problems. Whatever the situation, you and your doctor should discuss the rationale for the operation as well as benefits and risks. You are in the best position to know how much visual impairment you are experiencing and to determine how much it interferes with your safety and daily activities. Unlike other eye diseases, where only the doctor can tell what measures are necessary, with uncomplicated cataract the ophthalmologist's role is to help patients reach their own decisions about surgery.

Last updated:	June 19, 2007