Must i have my cataract removed?

No: Typically only time cataracts must be removed if they are causing extremely high eye pressure (phacomorphic, phacolytic, phacoanaphylactic) or traumatically dislodged and causing the cornea to decompensate or retina problems if in the posterior chamber.

No: Only if they cause visual disability and only if you want to have better vision. In rare circumstances they have to be removed for medical reasons

No!: Cataracts are only removed if they interfere with your vision or very rarely when they treathen the health of your eye such as angle closure glaucoma or interfence with seeing the retina for examination.

Cataract progression: Cataract surgery is elective. It is done if you want to see better. The problem is that cataract slowly gets worse with time and almost never improves without treatment. Recent studies have shown increased car accident rates and increased risk of hip fracture from falls due to untreated cataract. Any surgery should be considered with respect the risk-benefit profile (declining can have risks).

With vision problems: You should have your cataracts operated on cataracts when they affect your activitities of daily living. "you have problems doing things you like, or need to do", or there is medical reasons that the cataracts should be taken care of (causing glaucoma!). There is no set vision (i.e. 20/40 or 20/50) that indicates you should have surgery. You should have symptoms, or need to pass drivers exam.

When: Cataract surg: Not all cataracts require surgery. If best vision is worse than 20/40 or glare is significantly affecting VA, most surgeons prefer to do surgery sooner but depends on pt's sx, pt's risk factors, pt's preferences; also, though no guarantees with any surgery, many patients are less dependent on glasses & even glasses free after surgery which helps many in decision process: eyedoc2020.blogspot.com

It depends: Cataract removal is performed in response to the effect it has on vision. Some cataracts, a change in the transparency of a part or more of the natural lens, have little effect on the vision. Others progress and cause lowering of vision. These can be removed if you want although some choose to live with poor vision for a variety of reasons.