A lens sits inside the front part of the eye, focusing light for vision. As a part of the aging process, this lens may gradually turn thick and yellow, a condition called a cataract. During an eye exam, the doctor may determine the presence of cataracts, and, if they're bad enough, may suggest surgical removal. However, patients should know some of the reasons why cataract surgery may be necessary before deciding whether or not to proceed.
Vision
Cataracts gradually cause vision to blur. This process typically occurs over a number of years, and most people do not notice this gradual decline. Cataracts have a yellow-brown color, so vision will have this tint in affected people, says the National Eye Institute. This often results in an inability to see colors vividly, seeing muted versions of colors instead. However, mildly blurry vision and muted colors do not indicate a necessity for cataract surgery. A person should pursue cataract surgery when she can no longer perform certain tasks due to vision changes. For example, cataracts may prevent her from reading, sewing or performing other detailed work. People such as painters, who require the use of color for their work, may choose to have cataract surgery to improve the quality of their color vision.
Glare
As the natural lens hardens, forming the cataract, proteins clump together. This blurs vision, and also causes the light entering the eye to refract abnormally, resulting in glare problems. For many people, problems with glare will require them to use more light for reading or other activities. Glare often causes difficulties when driving, particularly at night. Because of low light conditions, many people with significant cataracts do not feel comfortable driving at night. Glare may also cause headlights or other lights on the road to have a halo around them, says the National Eye Institute. When glare results in these difficulties or others, cataract surgery may be needed.
Eye Disease
Looking through the cloudy lens causes blurry vision for a person with cataracts. As such, a doctor will have the same blurry view when she performs an eye exam and cannot see the back of the patient's eye. Though the cataracts may not affect a patient, a doctor may recommend surgery if the cataract prevents her from monitoring other eye conditions. For example, diabetics have a risk of developing serious eye disease. If a doctor suspects diabetic eye disease but cannot fully examine the eye, she will discuss the need for surgical cataract removal, says MayoClinic.com.
