In persons with eye injuries or diabetes, development of the cataract may take less time. You and your doctor will determine the appropriate time for cataract surgery. Many cataract symptoms are so mild that surgery is not warranted. However, when cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities, surgery should be considered. A cataract in the early stages poses no health risk.
Cataract surgery is common and nearly always performed on an outpatient basis.
Eye drops are prescribed after the initial surgery, and the patient is examined several times throughout the healing process. You will still need to use glasses or contact lenses after the surgery. If surgery is needed for both eyes the second eye is usually not done until the first eye has had time to heal. Surgical treatment is performed by the ophthalmologist. Lasers are not used to remove cataracts.