Should You Delay Cataract Surgery?

Medically reviewed on 01-October-2023

Cataracts – the term for when cloudy patches form on the lens of your eye – are a progressive degenerative condition. That means they will continue to get worse until treated which is why there are risks of delaying cataract surgery.

While cataracts might seem harmless enough when they first appear, if left untreated they can cause  problems – like impacting quality of life, causing severe visual impairment and a more complex procedure.

Read on, as we lay out the facts about cataract surgery, and why it’s better to press ahead than to delay cataract treatment.

How Quickly Do Cataracts Progress?

This might seem like a straightforward question, but there is no simple answer to how quickly cataracts develop. It is however possible to monitor the progress of cataract symptoms which can be a good indication of cataracts progressing.

The rate of cataract progression will ultimately depend on the type of cataract – as well as several other environmental factors.

While most cataracts develop slowly, some are fast-growing: without visiting a qualified professional, it is nearly impossible to determine what type of cataracts you have. That’s why we recommend seeking advice as soon as the first symptoms of cataracts – blurred vision, faded colours, glare – emerge.

Nuclear sclerotic cataracts (which form in the lens’ nucleus) and cortical cataracts (which grow on the outside of the lens) both tend to grow slowly and become more of an issue as the sufferer gets older.

Meanwhile, posterior subcapsular cataracts – which develop on the cortex which sits underneath the lens capsule – can develop quickly and are more likely to affect younger people.

The cataract type you may have is not mutually exclusive, you may have for example a mixed nuclear, posterior subcapsular and cortical cataract.

Diabetes, radiation exposure and eye trauma can  cause rapidly developing cataracts – while smoking and the use of corticosteroids can also speed up cataracts’ development.

If you think you may have recently developed cataracts, do not hesitate to seek advice. A qualified professional can quickly determine what type of cataracts you are suffering from, and help you reach an informed decision about the best course of action. Learn more about cataract symptoms.

How Long Can Cataract Surgery Be Postponed?

At Optegra, we never advise postponing cataract surgery as the ideal course of action – but do appreciate that sometimes there is no alternative option.

If you’re thinking of delaying cataract surgery, you should first speak to a qualified professional who can assess your cataracts and provide you with guidance on how long it may be safe to postpone surgery. If your cataracts are in the early stage and are slow growing, you may be able to safely delay surgery without any significant  complications.

However, we should reiterate that there are no benefits to postponing cataract surgery, but several associated risks – our advice is always to proceed with cataract surgery as soon as you become symptomatic.

At Optegra, we’ve endeavoured to make our cataract pricing as transparent as possible. If price is a concern, why not get in touch today and discuss one of our finance options? We offer a range of payment options, so you can spread out the cost of cataract surgery.

In some cases it is acceptable to delay cataract surgery, you may have been told you have mild cataract and have no symptoms and will be monitored by your opticians annually. You may have another health condition such as cancer, WET AMD and undergoing treatment which would mean cataract surgery would not be appropriate.

What Are the Risks of Delaying Cataract Surgery?

A systematic review reported  Canadian Medical Association Journal: that  ‘patients who waited more than six months to receive cataract surgery experienced negative outcomes during the wait period including  vision loss, a reduced quality of life and an increased rate of falls compared with patients who had wait times of less than six weeks.’

Ultimately, there are risks to postponing cataract surgery and it is important to act on –cataract progression before it becomes problematic.

Moreover, so many of our patients tell us they didn’t realise how poor their eyesight had become – and how much their quality of life had been affected – until after their cataracts had been removed.

There are also certain dangers to consider. Especially if cataracts are fast-growing, your eyesight may begin to degenerate rapidly without you realising – putting you in sticky situations such as losing your independence to drive.

Increased Risk of Falls or Accidents

Cataracts make the world appear blurry and reduce depth perception, which can create difficulties with negotiating uneven surfaces such as stairs or curbs and increase the risk of trips and falls.

Impact on Quality of Life

Untreated cataracts can cause severe reduction in visual clarity, which can impact daily activities, and quality of life. Even mild cataracts make reading, driving and face recognition difficult, disrupting routines and reducing independence.

The Potential of Cataracts Hardening

In the later stages of cataract formation, the lens becomes mature and more challenging to remove.

What is The Procedure and Recovery Process?

Cataract surgery is a straightforward procedure performed under local anaesthetic. It usually takes about eight minutes per eye – and for most people, it is painless. If you’re wondering if cataracts can come back, learn the possibility of cataracts returning in our latest guide.

in most cases you may experience some mild discomfort  during the cataract surgery recovery process,.. You may have to wear a protective eye shield – and will have to abstain from strenuous activity  on the night following surgery.

Get in Touch Today!

If you’re considering cataract surgery, you’re in the best possible hands with Optegra. Our renowned surgeons are expertly trained in cataract removal and as we’ve carried out over 35,000 in the last year alone with a success rate of 99.6% – you’ll be in safe hands

If you’re thinking about cataract surgery, why not get in touch today? Contact us today to book your free virtual consultation or to order a free, detailed info pack for more information.

We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure and to assist in any way possible.