Do you need surgery after being diagnosed with a cataract?

Depends: The diagnosis itself does not mean surgery is automatically needed. Surgery is required when there is a secondary effect of the cataract causing or leading to harm or damage to other structures in the eye. The most common types of cataracts cause a decrease in vision, perhaps glare and halos. A good time to consider it is when daily activities are hampered by the cataract (driving, tv, reading, etc).

No: Surgery is only indicated when it affects activities of daily living. So, if it does not bother you and your activities it does not need surgery. Unless it is causing other problems with the eye such as inflammation or glaucoma. See your eye md to monitor for this.

Depends:: 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, risk factors, preferences; also, though no guarantees with any surgery, many patients are less dependent on or free of glasses after surgery; clear lens removal also possible in some pts; info: eyedoc2020.blogspot.com