# Should I try to find someone to remove my cataract? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 14, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038 "2025-04-14T15:31:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/1 "2025-04-14T15:31:50Z")
I’m a 52YO white guy with nearsightedness and astigmatism, and for the last probably 8 years when I have my eyes checked the optometrist mentions that I have the start of a cataract in one eye and so he can’t get my vision quite as clear as in the other one. When I ask if I can get it removed, he tells me it’s not time for that yet, like it’s not ripe or something. But here’s the thing: I sit in front of a computer all day. While I don’t get headaches, the inability to get clear, corrected vision out of both eyes is annoying when working with multiple monitors and the need to switch focus constantly. My optometrist, while a nice guy, is also pretty old. I am wondering if he’s just relying on outdated ideas and it’s really acceptable and desirable to get a cataract removed even at my age, or if there is some medical/technical reason I should not want to do it. Anyone here with experience of early cataracts and having them removed? I am inclined to listen to trained medical professionals rather than internet research (and doing internet research seems to primarily lead me to sites where people have put off going to get cataracts removed instead of having them fixed early) but before I spend the time and money going to an ophthalmologist, I figured I would see if anyone here had a similar experience. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/2 "2025-04-14T16:01:04Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > When I ask if I can get it removed, he tells me it’s not time for that yet, like it’s not ripe or something. At one time, that was true, but not anymore, and not for a long time. Perhaps he means he doesn’t think your vision is bad enough to require surgery yet, but apparently he gave you the obsolete impression that a cataract needed to fully harden before it can be removed as in the days of old. I’d seek out another optometrist. And yes, go see an ophthalmologist that does cataracts (not all of them do) now. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/3 "2025-04-14T16:17:10Z")
I had a cataract removed from my left eye a couple of years ago. The right eye had one too, but they said it wasn’t bad enough for surgery just yet. I was able to get the second one done just back in December, so I’m “even” now. That said, I’m not sure whether the “not bad enough yet” thing was a medical opinion or an insurance decision. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/4 "2025-04-14T17:02:47Z")
Theres always a risk. Docs have to weigh the variables. If you question his motivation get another opinion. I’m sure if you search carefully there’s a doc who would do it. It seems to me maybe you don’t quite trust this optometrist much. That’s your real issue. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/5 "2025-04-14T17:15:24Z")
I think the issue is doing unnecessary surgery before the cataract is really affecting your vision to a degree that impacts your life. Any surgery has risks. My wife has an epiretinal membrane in one eye that has her essentially blind in that eye, and a developing cataract in the other eye. Her ophthalmologist has been recommending that she defer the cataract surgery as long as possible, because, while cataract surgery is very safe and effective, there is still some small risk of complications or a bad outcome. If the cataract surgery damaged her sight in her good eye, she could end up blind in both eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/6 "2025-04-14T17:16:41Z")
Not a doctor, and not young, but the cataract in my right eye was not nearly as bad as the one in my left eye, but they recommended I do both of them, two weeks apart. Worked fine. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/7 "2025-04-14T17:32:33Z")
What you’re talking about is generally referred to as Refractive Lens Exchange: 1. [**Refractive Lens Exchange - Better Vision Guide**](https://www.bettervisionguide.com/refractive-iols-rle/) 1. > **[A Review of Refractive Lens Exchange](https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/a-review-of-refractive-lens-exchange)** ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/8 "2025-04-14T17:39:12Z")
If you have questions, there’s no harm in getting another opinion. Go to an ophthalmologist. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/9 "2025-04-14T17:49:09Z")
For the OP, since you have astigmatisms, your vision can’t be fully corrected by cataract removal. You’ll likely still have to wear corrective lenses, but the prescription will likely be very mild. This was the case with one of my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/10 "2025-04-14T17:52:48Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > For the OP, since you have astigmatisms, your vision can’t be fully corrected by cataract removal. Not necessarily the case: > **[The Benefits Of Toric IOLs For Astigmatism Correction](https://www.berkeleyeye.com/toric-iols)** > > Experience clear vision without astigmatism with Toric IOLs. Discover the benefits of this innovative lens technology and how it can enhance your eyesight today! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/11 "2025-04-14T18:12:12Z")
Must not have been around when I got mine done. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/12 "2025-04-14T18:16:32Z")
While I do understand balancing that risk, I also know that recovery time and complications increase with age. Doing it now while I am healthy gives me a better chance at a good outcome. They used to put off doing hip/knee replacements for people with issues as well, for the exact reasons you suggest. In fact when I was younger I knew a guy in his 50s, a massively tall guy, who walked with a hitch because of a bad hip. No surgeon/insurance would approve him for the hip replacement surgery because “he was too young.” He finally got it done and his quality of life was massively improved. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/13 "2025-04-14T18:18:33Z")
Yeah, I don’t think I will ever eliminate corrective lenses long-term, my eyesight has continued to change throughout my life, typically needing new prescription lenses every 2 years or so. I am fine with wearing glasses, I’d just like to have clear vision again. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/14 "2025-04-14T22:52:24Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > > [@Chefguy](#): > > > > For the OP, since you have astigmatisms, your vision can’t be fully corrected by cataract removal. > > Not necessarily the case: I’d had farsightedness and terrible astigmatism since my late twenties, started having cataract issues about 12 years ago. In early 2015 my Eye Doctor said that since my astigmatism had gotten “as severe as astigmatism gets” he recommended adding astigmatism correction to my cataract procedure. In August of 2015 I had _Lasik Cataract/Astigmatism Lens Implants_ on both eyes, 2 weeks apart. Instantly cured my nearsightedness AND the astigmatism. For the first time in 40 years I no longer needed glasses\* and ten years later I’m 74 and my vision is still 20/15. \*(of course I still need cheapo reading glasses.) ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/15 "2025-04-14T23:04:00Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > Anyone here with experience of early cataracts and having them removed? Lots! The start of a nuclear sclerotic cataract (the ordinary kind) was first noted in one of my eyes in my late 30s. By the time I was in my mid-50s, I had one in each eye, plus the bonus of a posterior subcapsular cataract in my left eye. Thus I had three cataracts removed while I was 55 or 56. The surgeries were done under general anesthesia due to various risk factors. It was all peachy and the results were absolutely worth it. If your cataracts have gotten to the point where you notice a decrease in vision acuity, chances are it is time. (Also, does the white porcelain in your bathroom seem to have a yellowish cast? That’s your cataracts.) ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/16 "2025-04-15T01:44:09Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Not necessarily the case: > [@Chefguy](#): > > Must not have been around when I got mine done. Lens to correct for astigmatism cost an additional $2200 per eye over what Medicare will pay for the basic replacement lens. I concur, time to consult an ophthalmologist. I’d also find a different optometrist who was up to date with current practices. It isn’t that unusual to have one cataract removed years before the other eye requires it. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/17 "2025-04-15T04:51:32Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Lens to correct for astigmatism cost an additional $2200 per eye over what Medicare will pay for the basic replacement lens. Sounds about right, the additional cost was less for me but that was 10 years ago. Money well spent. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/18 "2025-04-15T11:52:40Z")
When I did my Refractive Lens Exchange surgery (as noted above, the same procedure but without having cataracts), I don’t think there was a noticeable difference between the general focus correcting lens, or adding on the astigmatism correction as part of the procedure. The real difference was between no correction, correcting for certain distances but still needing glasses, and correcting for most useful distances. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/19 "2025-04-15T12:54:06Z")
Paging @Alpine … She had RLE about 5 years ago at age 50-ish and it’s been a huge change in her life. She sits in front of a computer all day also. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038/20 "2025-04-15T17:37:27Z")
I think my astigmatism correction would have been a bit more then $2200, but I’m in California. And they told me that my eyes might change enough to still need glasses as some point. I decided not to, in no small part since I’ve been wearing glasses for 65 years and not having them would just feel weird. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-try-to-find-someone-to-remove-my-cataract/1017038.md?page=2)