Since there are no medications that can effectively prevent and delay the onset and development of age-related cataracts, surgery is the only effective method when cataracts cause vision loss that affects learning and life. When to operate Many readers may ask when cataracts have developed to the point where surgery is needed. This is an important question, and patients will ask their ophthalmologist with this confusion, “I have a cataract, should I receive surgery?” To date, there are still many readers and even some primary care ophthalmologists who are influenced by the misconception that cataracts should be operated only when they have grown mature. In fact, this view is from the 1960s and 1970s, because at that time, cataract surgery was to remove the cloudy lens (cloudy lens is cataract) completely without implanting an artificial lens, so it was easier to remove the cataract completely when it was mature. With the development of science and technology and the application of microsurgery, the surgical treatment of cataract has developed significantly, and the removal of cloudy lens followed by the implantation of an artificial lens has become a routine surgical method. Especially in recent years, cataract ultrasound emulsification surgery has been commonly carried out in central hospitals in big cities, making cataract surgery enter the era of minimally invasive surgery. This surgical method involves inserting an ultrasound needle into the eye through a small incision (1.5 to 3 mm), using the principle of ultrasound vibration to crush and remove the cloudy lens, and then implanting a foldable artificial lens through the same incision. Understanding the principle of ultrasound emulsification surgery, it is easy for the reader to understand why cataract surgery should now be done earlier rather than waiting until maturity. This is because the older the cataract grows, the more time and energy used for ultrasound crushing, the more damage to the eye, and the greater the risk of surgery. Therefore, cataract surgery should be done earlier. When cataract affects your life, it is time to receive cataract surgery. The general standard is that cataract patients should have surgery when their vision is reduced to 0.3 to 0.5. There are also patients with special requirements who have better vision than 0.5, but the level of cataract has affected daily behaviors such as work, study, and driving a car, and they should also receive cataract surgery early. How to choose IOLs Other readers may ask why IOLs are needed for cataract treatment. What IOLs are available to patients? To answer these questions, it is important to review some of the knowledge we have previously presented. The lens of the human eye functions like the lens of a camera, and when it gradually ages and becomes cloudy, a cataract is formed. When the cloudy cataract is removed, there is one less lens in the human eye, and although the light is brighter than before, it is still difficult to see. An IOL is a replacement for the lens of the human eye made of some transparent material. With the implantation of an IOL, the human eye can see the colorful world outside as clearly as it did in the past. Therefore, IOL implantation is now a routine procedure in modern cataract surgery. Current IOLs can be divided into two categories: rigid IOLs and foldable soft IOLs. The rigid IOL has an optical diameter of about 6 mm, which is relatively large and cannot be folded, so it requires a large incision to be implanted in the eye. The application of this rigid IOL requires an enlarged incision based on the original minimally invasive small incision, which results in relatively greater surgical damage, slower recovery, and a larger postoperative astigmatism, which affects the recovery of vision. As the hard IOL model, material and design are relatively old, so the price is relatively cheap, generally less than $1000, and can be produced in China. The optical diameter of the folding soft IOL is the same as that of the hard IOL, also about 6 mm, but because it can be folded and implanted into the eye through an incision of less than 3 mm, it can overcome the shortcomings of the hard IOL, and the recovery from surgery is fast, greatly reducing the patient’s pain. However, this type of IOL requires high material and process, and generally relies on foreign imports, which are rarely produced domestically and the process is not up to par, so the price is higher, costing about 2,000 yuan. With the development of technology, many IOLs with more advanced design concepts, for example, adjustable and multifocal IOLs, have been used in clinical practice, which will bring better visual quality to cataract patients. Our cataract surgery is currently performed using surface anesthesia, and the surgery is completed in 5 to 10 minutes with no pain to the patient. At present, in order to make it convenient for cataract patients to visit the hospital, the clinic has been opened. Patients can go directly to the cataract center triage desk to get the consultation number of the specialist they want to see, and the hospital will provide a good medical environment for patients so that they can get the best treatment as soon as possible.