What level of cataract needs surgery?
Asked by: Dr. Adelbert Lynch I | Last update: November 24, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (31 votes)
At what level should cataracts be removed?
The simplest answer is this: The right time for surgery is when your cataracts have begun to interfere with your quality of life, and glasses and/or contacts no longer satisfy your visual needs.
How bad is stage 2 cataract?
Stage 2: Immature Cataracts
As less light can pass through the lens, individuals may experience: More noticeable blurred vision. Fading or dulling of colors. Difficulty seeing in low light or at night.
What vision level qualifies for cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is considered “medically necessary” by some insurance companies (like Medicare) only when certain conditions are met. The service is often covered only after a cataract has caused visual acuity to be reduced to below 20/40 — the legal vision requirement for driving in most states.
At what stage is cataract surgery recommended?
If a cataract makes it difficult for you to carry out your usual activities, your health care team may suggest cataract surgery. When a cataract interferes with the treatment of another eye problem, cataract surgery may be recommended.
How will I know when to have cataract surgery?
How do I know if my cataracts are bad enough for surgery?
Your doctor might recommend surgery if: Poor eyesight is affecting your ability to do your job or take part in some leisure or social activities. Surgery would help your doctor keep track of another eye problem, such as a problem with your retina. You do not have glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration.
How do you know what stage your cataract is?
- Stage 1: Early Cataracts – Slight blurry vision.
- Stage 2: Immature Cataracts – Blurred vision in low-light.
- Stage 3: Mature Cataracts – Difficulty driving at night.
- Stage 4: Hypermature Cataracts – Eye appears yellow and cloudy.
What disqualifies you from cataract surgery?
Are in poor health or have a serious medical condition. Have advanced macular degeneration. Have a detached retina. Have a medical condition of the eyes, such as an infection.
Does everyone have 20/20 vision after cataract surgery?
Many people assume that cataract surgery will give them "perfect" 20/20 vision, but this isn't always the case. In fact, some people may still need glasses or contacts to see clearly after surgery. But this doesn't mean the procedure isn't worth it!.
How bad do cataracts need to be before surgery?
However, as the cataract develops and bad eyesight starts to affect everyday activities, including the ability to drive comfortably, surgery will usually be required. We usually recommend surgery when the effects of the cataract impact on your lifestyle and this varies from person to person.
When's the best time to have cataract surgery?
Cataracts can become “hyper-mature”, which makes them more difficult to remove. In some cases, this can cause complications during surgery. Usually, the best results for cataract surgery occur when surgery is performed soon after vision problems develop, whether it is due to age, disease, or injury.
What does a stage 3 cataract look like?
In a stage 3 cataract, symptoms will be similar to stage 2 but more severe affecting quality of life and daily activities. In addition, the most noticeable change will be that the lens has changed in color from slightly clear or opaque to completely white or deep amber.
What is the grading scale for cataracts?
Grade 0: clear lens; grade 1: swollen fibers and subcapsular opacities observed; grade 2: nuclear cataract in lens and swollen fibers in lens cortex; grade 3: strong nuclear cataract with perinuclear area opacity in lens; grade 4 (not shown): total opacity of lens.
What is the best age to get cataract surgery?
There is no single recommended age to get refractive cataract surgery. Cataracts normally develop after age 40, and some people elect for early intervention to restore their vision sooner. Patients can also delay their procedure until they're in a more convenient place in life.
What happens if you wait too long to remove cataracts?
Ultimately, untreated cataracts will progress to the point where vision is seriously impaired, which could mean full or partial sight-loss. You should always speak to your ophthalmologist as soon as you experience symptoms of cataracts, and they'll be able to advise you on treatment.
What warrants cataract surgery?
Your eye doctor will probably suggest cataract surgery if you have vision loss that gets in the way of everyday activities like reading, driving, or watching TV. Your doctor might also recommend surgery even if your cataracts aren't the main cause of your vision problems.
How long does it take your brain to adjust to cataract surgery?
While it might take some people many weeks (or even months) to experience the ultimate improvements that cataract surgery can bring, the average person will notice huge benefits within days or a few weeks. The more advanced the IOL, the longer you might need for the eye-brain link to optimize.
What is the new cataract treatment for 2024?
Light-Adjustable Lenses (LAL)
Light-adjustable lenses (LALs) are a newer type of monofocal lens that allows patients to customize and refine their vision outcomes after their cataract surgery. LALs are made from a unique photosensitive material containing molecules called macromers.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
In general, after cataract surgery people do not need glasses for distance viewing– this means for activities such as driving, golf or watching TV, you should not need to continue wearing glasses. However, in many circumstances people still may need glasses for reading or near work.
Is there a downside to cataract surgery?
Is there a downside to having cataract surgery? While generally safe and effective, cataract surgery carries risks like any surgery, including infection, swelling, and vision issues. However, serious complications are rare.
How many days rest is needed after cataract surgery?
Plan on taking one to three days off of work to be sure you have enough time to rest, but it is normal to resume most normal activities within a couple of days. Simple diversions like reading, watching TV, writing, and walking are okay to resume as soon as you feel up for it after your eye surgery.
How much money is needed for cataract surgery?
$3,000 to $5,000 per eye for standard cataract surgery. $4,000 to $6,000 per eye for laser-assisted cataract surgery or procedures using advanced lens implants.
At what point should cataracts be removed?
Although it's never too late to have a cataract removed, it is better to have cataracts removed while they are immature, as this reduces the length of surgery and the recovery time. Earlier removal also means that you avoid the significant visual impairment associated with very mature (hypermature) cataracts.
How can I stop my cataracts from getting worse?
If left untreated, cataracts can worsen and lead to blindness. To stop cataracts from progressing, consider going for regular eye exams, wear sunglasses, eat a balanced diet, check medicinal side effects, or even consider cataract surgery.
How quickly do eyes deteriorate with cataracts?
In some cases, it could take 10 years or more for a cataract to progress to the point of causing blindness. However, other types of cataracts, such as those due to diabetes, trauma or certain medications can progress more quickly. These might lead to significant vision impairment in a matter of months or a few years.