After the age of 40, some of the body’s functions gradually deteriorate. According to statistics, the incidence rate of cataracts is nearly 80% between the ages of 60 and 80, while the incidence rate of cataracts in people over 90 years old is over 90%. Many patients are confused as to when is the most appropriate time for cataract surgery?
We often hear that cataracts can only be operated when the eye is blind, but that is a traditional saying. In the past, intracapsular cataract removal was done, and it is true that the best time to operate is when the lens is completely clouded. When the cataract develops to the mature stage, the lens volume expands and often causes other eye diseases such as glaucoma. Many cataract patients often have other eye diseases such as chronic simple glaucoma, macular degeneration, uveitis, etc. during the long wait, which is why many cataract patients cannot regain their sight even at the end.
In recent years, due to the advancement of science and technology, especially after the emergence of IOLs, nowadays, we basically use ultrasonic emulsion cataract extraction, which is operated under a microscope and greatly improves the safety and success rate of cataract extraction, so it is not necessary to wait until the lens is completely clouded. Because of the new technology, cataract patients do not need to wait until they are blind to have surgery, but operate at the right time according to the needs of different groups of people. For example, drivers, mechanics and people with high vision requirements for fine work can have surgery when their vision drops to about 0.5-0.4, while retired patients and patients with low vision requirements can generally have cataract surgery at about 0.3-0.4.