I have had cataracts growing for three &1/2 years now. How long do they grow before being removed?

Question

I have had new glasses for three years in a row now. My eye Dr. says they are not ripe enough yet. However I am tired of having to buy new glases every year. I'd just as soon they remove them and get this over with!

Answer 1

You may need to get a new Doctor.
"Ripe" is an out-of-date term, and really should never be used, these days.

People can have cataract surgery before cataracts appear at all, and this is done for some people with very high myopia.

"Ripe" used to apply with older surgical techniques, and the eye was almost blind before it was ready. We used to hope that one eye would go before the other, otherwise there was a period where the person was terribly disadvantaged.
Additionally, where there was the risk from a general anaesthetic, and people were faced with thick, distorting, heavy, uncomfortable cataract glasses after the operation, it was important to be sure that the the problem was really sufficient to require treatment..

Only that latter applies today: are you having sufficient problems that they outweigh the risk and inconvenience of having the cataracts treated?
(cataract surgery is about as safe as it gets, but that doesn't mean zero-risk)
For most people the only *must* benchmark comes with the driving standard. If you can't see to drive due to poor acuity, or too much glare (even if you've still got 20/25), you need cataracts done.
If you don't drive and you're happy with big-print books you can leave them for ages.
If you're a competitive archer you'll want them done instantly.

There is no "Ripe"!
(OK, except technically, but there the eye's blind, and the pupil is brown to white in colour)

Optometrist, retired.

Answer 2

Well, just remember, even after you have your cataract surgery, that does not mean that your eyes with stop changing. As far as your cataracts go, it is hard to tell how long until they are ready to come out. If you do it too soon you run more risks of having complications later. Everyone is different and it might be as fast as a few months to a couple more years. There are too many variables to be able to tell you how long for you. Heredity is one big factor. Uv exposure, diet and all sorts of things over your life time can have effects. If you want them done sooner, you could consult with another Ophthalmologist, one that specializes in Cataracts.

Answer 3

I would go and see another eye Dr., because let me tell you Thur experience, I had cataracts in both eyes . I got surgery done in one eye, and waited for years on the other one. I started getting real bad headaches that would come and go. The last headache didn`t go away, I ended up in the er , Thought I had a tumor or something. But it was the cataract dissolving causing my eye pressure to rage; It was called fakealitic glaucoma.At that point I had to have the surgery done it was a real bad situation.

Answer 4

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