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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove the clouded lens, which usually includes replacing the lens with a clear lens implant. Sometimes cataracts are removed without reinserting implant lenses. In such cases, vision can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Cataract surgery is successful in about 95 percent of all cases.
In the past, people were advised to wait until their vision had deteriorated to about 20/200, which would seriously impact their vision. Today, because surgical techniques have improved and the risks from cataract surgery are much lower, surgery is generally recommended when cataracts begin to affect your quality of life or interfere with your ability to perform normal daily activities.
Surgery is done on only one eye at a time. It's generally done on an outpatient basis, usually with local anesthesia. Recovery is fast. You can often resume your normal daily activities beginning the night of your surgery. You may be able to start driving again the day after surgery, after your postoperative checkup.
Cataracts can't be cured with medications, dietary supplements, exercise or optical devices. In the early stages of a cataract when symptoms are mild, a good understanding of the condition and a willingness to adjust your lifestyle can help. Some self-care approaches, such as using a magnifying glass to read or improving the lighting in your home, may help you deal with the effects of having a cataract.
