No. The final visual outcome is not dependent on the time of intervention and therefore cataract surgery is not regarded as a time-critical intervention. The most important factor determining the need for surgery is whether you are troubled by your visual symptoms. If you are satisfied with your level of vision, then you do not need to have cataract surgery just because you have a cataract and you can choose to defer the option of surgery. Sometimes glasses can offer some improvement in vision during early cataracts, but this improvement may be limited and more short-lived as the cataract progresses.
There are however exceptions where cataract surgery is recommended even though you may not wish to have surgery or are not troubled by your vision. These are:
- If your best vision, even with glasses or contact lenses, does not meet the legal minimum requirements for driving and you wish to continue to drive.
- If the cataract prohibits an adequate view to enable monitoring or treating the back of the eye (retina), for example in diabetic patients who can develop changes in the back of the eye (diabetic retinopathy).