Cataract surgery is effective and safe, but you must carefully consider the risks and rewards of the surgery. The primary consideration when getting the procedure is whether it will provide a significant and noticeable improvement in vision and can be done safely. While the surgery can treat various vision problems, it’s not suitable for everyone. Here are the disqualifications for cataract surgery:
Age
There is no specific upper age limit for getting lens replacement surgery. But patients should be at least 18 years old to be considered ideal candidates. The reason why the surgery is recommended for those who are 18 years and above is that the eye keeps growing and changing as you age. Those below 18 years lack a stable prescription, as refractive errors hardly stabilize before adulthood. Many doctors recommend that the patient wait until the shape of the eye becomes stable.
Health Conditions
Some medications can result in fluctuations in your vision affecting how your body heals. Your overall health can determine if you are an ideal candidate for lens replacement surgery. The procedure is surgical, so you should be healthy enough before undergoing treatment to heal well and on time. Some health conditions that may compromise your ability to heal include rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
Unresolved Vision Problems
Sometimes your eyes may have more problems other than simple refractive error. A common condition that can prevent you from getting surgery is dry eye. Eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy may compromise your vision and disqualify you as an ideal candidate to undergo lens replacement surgery. Scarring from past eye surgery or injury can hinder the surgeon’s ability to do the surgery safely. Eye diseases that may cause infections or affect the cornea must be resolved before the procedure.
Insufficient Corneal Thickness
The cornea is a transparent, thin layer on the eye. A surgeon must work with precision, meaning you need to have enough corneal tissue to make a difference. During the surgery, they will remove a small amount of the tissue. The surgeon makes a small incision to create a flap that they lift to reshape the underlying tissue. After the alterations, they lower the flap for the tissue to heal.
Your surgeon will measure the cornea to determine if you are an ideal candidate for the surgery. If you have abnormally thin corneas, removing the tissue can cause complications. You may need to accept alternative surgery like photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) as it doesn’t need a corneal flap.
Large Pupils
Your pupil size may determine if you qualify for cataract surgery. Large pupils can affect the results and disqualify you from getting the surgery. If you have large pupils, there is an increased likelihood of experiencing side effects after eye surgery. Side effects can include starbursts, glare, double vision, and halos. The effect can be debilitating as they can prevent you from driving in bad weather conditions or at night. Your surgeon will take measurements of your pupils during the consultation to determine if you qualify for surgery.
Contact Sports
Individuals who regularly engage in contact sports like martial arts or boxing may not qualify for lens replacement surgery. They have an increased risk of sustaining frequent blows to the face and the eye, which is inappropriate for the procedure. Lens replacement surgery can be an appropriate surgical option if you can refrain from engaging in these sports for at least six weeks after the surgery.
If you engage in non-contact sports such as swimming, golf, and tennis, there is no reason to prevent you from undergoing surgery. Your specialist will advise you depending on your medical history.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes resulting from childbirth, nursing, or pregnancy may affect visual acuteness, eventually disqualifying a person from becoming a candidate. For a person to be an ideal candidate, they should have a refractive error and contact lens or glasses prescription, which has remained stable for not less than a year.
Find the Best Surgeon for Cataract Surgery
When choosing a surgeon for cataract surgery, don’t rush your decision. Investigate your options and do due diligence to find an eye surgeon you’re comfortable with. Most consultations are free, so you can meet with multiple surgeons. Ask specific questions, visit the treatment center, and interact with its staff. Find a surgeon that will help you make the best choice for you.