“How long can a cataract be left untreated?”
I am a 56 year old female. I want to know how long can a cataract be left untreated?
6 Answers
By left untreated, I'm assuming that you mean having cataract surgery (to remove the cataract). Cataract surgery is usually done when the patient has trouble seeing to perform the daily chores of living, i.e., reading, driving, golfing, etc., and the eye doctor cannot improve the vision to a satisfactory level with glasses or other visual aids. At this point, it is time to schedule or discuss scheduling cataract surgery. You, the patient, decide when your vision is limiting your ability to comfortably see and the doctor should verify that the cataract is the reason for your compromised vision.
It depends on the density of it and if it has developed liquid Morgagnian characteristics. If so, it should be removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, if the cataract interferes with vision and daily functions, it should be extracted.
There are several different types of cataracts and this can determine how quickly the cataract developes to and the extent to which it interfers with your vision. Leaving a cataract in the eye for a long period time, can make the procedure more difficult to remove, and increases the risk of having a complication. Patients diagnosed with cataract should be seen by an eye doctor about every six months.
Can be followed for decades unless it becomes mature and there no rush for its removal unless the decreased vision is affecting the quality of a patient’s life.
Typically it is safe to leave it in your eye but the vision will continue to worsen and can lead to blindness. Rarely they grow so large they can cause other problems in your eye.
A cataract can take 10 to 30 years to get worse. So you can monitor it. Surgery is only needed if your vision is affected.
