Key Takeaways
- The right time for cataract surgery is when cataracts begin affecting activities that matter to you like driving, reading, working, or enjoying hobbies.
- There is no single measurement that automatically triggers surgery. The decision is based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and your surgeon’s assessment.
- Waiting too long can make surgery more complex and slightly increase complication risk.
- Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures in medicine. Most patients notice improved vision within 24 hours.
- Premium lens implants can correct astigmatism and reduce reading glasses dependence at the same time as cataract removal
Cataracts develop slowly — often over years — and many patients aren’t sure when the right time to act is. The answer isn’t a specific number on a vision test. It comes down to how much your cataracts are affecting your daily life and whether the benefits of surgery outweigh the reasons to wait.
This guide helps you understand the signs that surgery is appropriate, what happens if you wait, and how to think about timing with your surgeon.
What Are the Signs It Is Time for Cataract Surgery?
Surgery is generally appropriate when cataracts start interfering with activities that matter to you. Common triggers include:
Driving Becoming Unsafe or Uncomfortable
Difficulty seeing clearly at night, increased glare from headlights, and trouble reading road signs are among the most common reasons patients decide the time has come. If you are avoiding nighttime driving because of your vision, that is a meaningful signal.
Reading and Close Work Require More Effort
If you find yourself needing significantly more light to read, struggling with fine print, or frequently changing your glasses prescription, cataracts may be the cause.
Work or Hobbies are Being Affected
Difficulty seeing a computer screen clearly, trouble with detailed craft work, or impaired depth perception for activities like golf or tennis are all signs that cataracts may be progressing. Any of these can indicate that surgery is worth discussing with your surgeon.
Your Independence is Being Compromised
If vision problems are affecting your confidence or safety in daily life, particularly driving, that is a strong indicator that waiting is no longer the right choice.
Your Vision No Longer Corrects Well with Glasses
When glasses or contact lens updates no longer provide adequate clarity, it typically means the cataract has progressed beyond what prescription correction can compensate for.
Is There a “Right” Time to Wait?
Yes. For mild cataracts that are not significantly affecting your daily life, waiting is perfectly reasonable. There is no medical requirement to have cataract surgery immediately after diagnosis. Many patients are monitored for months or years before surgery becomes necessary.
The general principle is simple: surgery when cataracts affect your quality of life, monitoring when they don’t.
However, there is a point at which waiting too long creates problems:
- Cataracts become denser and harder over time, making the surgical procedure slightly more complex
- Very dense cataracts require more energy to remove, which can marginally increase the risk of post-operative inflammation
- Advanced cataracts can occasionally cause secondary complications including swelling or elevated eye pressure
For most patients, the window between “early cataract” and “overly dense cataract” is wide enough that there is no need to rush. Your Berkeley Eye Center surgeon will monitor progression at regular intervals and advise when timing is optimal.
What If I Have Cataracts in Both Eyes?
Most people develop cataracts in both eyes, though typically at different rates. Surgery is performed on one eye at a time, usually with a gap of several weeks between procedures. This allows the first eye to heal and for your surgeon to confirm the outcome before operating on the second.
The second surgery is generally scheduled once you have recovered fully from the first. Most patients find the process straightforward and appreciate having one clear eye while the second heals.
Can You Make Cataracts Better Without Surgery?
There is currently no medication, eye drop, or supplement proven to reverse or remove cataracts. Some early-stage symptoms can be managed temporarily with updated glasses, improved lighting, and anti-glare lenses. These are workarounds, not treatments. Read our full guide on non-surgical options for cataracts.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is a short outpatient procedure — typically 15 to 20 minutes per eye. Here is what to expect:
- Numbing eye drops are applied. No general anesthesia required for most patients.
- A tiny incision is made in the cornea.
- The clouded natural lens is broken up using ultrasound (phacoemulsification) and gently removed.
- A clear artificial lens (IOL) is inserted through the same small incision.
- The incision self-seals without stitches.
Most patients go home within an hour of the procedure and notice improved vision the following day.
One of the most important decisions in cataract surgery is which IOL to choose. Premium options can correct astigmatism, reduce reading glasses dependence, or allow for post-surgical customization.
How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost — and Does Medicare Cover It?
Medicare Part B covers cataract surgery and a standard monofocal IOL when the procedure is medically necessary. You are responsible for your annual deductible and 20% coinsurance. Premium lens upgrades involve an additional out-of-pocket fee above what Medicare covers.
FSA and HSA funds can be used toward all out-of-pocket cataract costs. Financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit is also available at Berkeley Eye Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Cataract Evaluation in Houston
If you are noticing vision changes and wondering whether cataract surgery is right for you, the first step is a comprehensive evaluation at Berkeley Eye Center. Our board-certified cataract surgeons will assess your cataracts, discuss your symptoms and lifestyle, and give you an honest recommendation on timing and lens options.