For most people, cataracts evolve extremely slowly. They often take years, or even decades, to become severe enough to need to have them removed. Naturally, your eye doctor will be the one who ultimately determines the right time for surgery.

Early cataract symptoms are mild—indeed, there may be no symptoms at all for many years after your diagnosis. As they progress, the first signs include:

• Colors appearing less vibrant, washed out, and yellowed.
• Seeing halos around a light source.
• Visual disturbances, such as blurred or double vision.
• Difficulty seeing in low light.

These are likely to be very slight at first. But as the cataracts become thicker, the issues become more evident and begin to impact your vision and day-to-day life. If left untreated, they will eventually cause complete loss of sight, with cataracts being the most common cause of blindness throughout the world.

Thankfully—in the Western world at least—annual or bi-annual eye tests will pick up cataracts at an extremely early stage. (You do go for regular eye tests, don’t you? If not, then it’s time to start doing so…)  Your eye doctor will monitor you over months and years, letting you know the optimum time for when to get cataract surgery.

Signs That You Need Cataract Surgery

Because cataracts evolve uniquely in each person, it’s not possible for your surgeon to say something like, “Ah, I see you’re developing cataracts. You’ll need an operation in 3 years’ time.” 

Instead, the signs and symptoms will be the criteria that denote the prime time for a cataract procedure. The top 5 signs that you’re ready are:

1. Very frequently changing prescriptions: This happens as the cataract matures and the lens becomes stiffer, causing the light entering the eye to fire off at different angles (instead of going straight through the lens). Your prescription will likely need to be strengthened multiple times to combat this.
2. Fuzzy, double, or blurry vision: Cataracts cause visual changes, which will increasingly worsen as it progresses.
3. Having increased difficulty seeing in low light or driving at night: Many people find that they end up avoiding driving in the dark or poor light because of this. Another common problem is reading in low light—making out the small print on menus in dimly lit restaurants is a prime example (thank goodness for the torch setting on cell phones…)
4. Being bothered by halos and glare: Issues with glare and halos around light sources are another prime sign. Indeed, sensitivity to any bright light, including the sun, is something many people experience due to cataracts.
5. The world you see loses its technicolored beauty: Because this happens gradually, with everything taking on a yellowish tinge and vibrant colors losing their potency, this is something that many people don’t realize has happened until they have their cataract operation. And then, boom! You get to re-enjoy all the shades and colors that our glorious planet has to offer…

And (although this is number 6, but it’s super important), your eye doctor tells you its time. This is by far the most important message that you need to get the procedure booked in. A “ripe” cataract is one that’s evolved enough to give minor visual issues, but not so much that it becomes more problematic to remove. So, while waiting a month or 2 to have your cataract surgery isn’t a problem, if this extends to, say, 6 months plus, then you’re straying into the realms of a potentially more complicated procedure.

So, the key takeaway is to listen to your eye doctor and follow their advice. 

When you’re ready to find the right surgeon, begin your search at https://www.bestcataractsurgeonreviews.com/ and get ready to begin your next, improved stage of eyesight with all the benefits the surgery will bring.