Cataract Awareness: Why Timely Surgery Saves Vision

Do you ever feel like your eyesight is becoming blurry, colours seem faded, or bright lights bother you more than before? These may be early signs of cataracts, a very common but treatable eye condition. Cataracts occur when the clear lens of your eye becomes cloudy, making it harder to see clearly.

In India, cataracts are the leading cause of curable blindness, especially among older adults. To address this, India performed a record 8.34 million cataract surgeries in 2022–2023. Even though the annual surgery rate has now reached about 3,000 per million population, experts say a 30% increase is needed by 2030 to reduce the backlog of untreated cases.

Dr. Tushara Aluri, Best Ophthalmologist in Nizampet, Hyderabad , at Sri Sri Holistic Hospitals, highlights the importance of early cataract detection and why timely surgery is critical to saving vision in this article.

Understanding Cataracts

Cataracts form when proteins in the eye’s natural lens clump together, causing cloudiness. While aging is the most common cause, other risk factors include diabetes, smoking, prolonged sun exposure, or past eye injuries. Symptoms often develop slowly—blurred vision, poor night vision, and sensitivity to light are typical signs.

Risks of Delaying Surgery

•​ Progressive Vision Loss : Cataracts worsen over time. Without treatment, patients may eventually suffer severe vision loss or even complete blindness, affecting independence and mobility.

•​ Increased Risk of Accidents : Poor vision significantly raises the risk of falls and road accidents, especially in elderly individuals. Clearer eyesight after surgery greatly reduces these dangers.

•​ More Complex Surgery: The longer cataracts are left untreated, the denser they become. Removing advanced cataracts is more difficult and can increase the chances of complications during surgery.

•​ Psychological Impact: Vision problems limit everyday activities like reading, cooking, or driving, leading to frustration, loss of independence, and even depression.

Benefits of Timely Cataract Surgery

•​ Restored Clear Vision: Surgery replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), restoring sharpness and colour perception.

•​ Better Quality of Life: Patients can resume hobbies, social activities, and work without constant strain.

•​ Lower Risk of Complications: Operating earlier ensures smoother procedures and faster recovery.

•​ Prevention of Further Damage: Untreated cataracts can sometimes lead to glaucoma and permanent vision loss.

Myths About Cataract Surgery

1. Myth: Cataracts must “ripen” before surgery.

Fact: Waiting is unnecessary and risky. Early surgery provides safer and better outcomes.

2. Myth: Surgery is dangerous or can worsen vision.

Fact: Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most common surgeries worldwide, with high success rates.

3. Myth: Recovery takes months.

Fact: Most patients notice vision improvement within days and return to normal activities in just a few weeks.

Conclusion

Cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss in India, but the good news is that they are completely treatable with timely surgery. Delaying treatment not only worsens vision but also affects safety, independence, and overall quality of life.

At Sri Sri Holistic Hospitals, Nizampet, Dr. Tushara Aluri and the expert eye care team provide advanced cataract diagnosis and surgery with the latest intraocular lens technology, ensuring patients regain clear, confident vision. Book a consultation at the earliest to safeguard your sight and quality of life.