Will I Need Spectacles After My Cataract Operation?
It is common to hear patients say that they have been told they will not need spectacles after their cataract surgery.
But is this true? Let’s unpack a few scenarios to better understand when glasses may still be needed after cataract surgery.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery
When a cataract is removed, the procedure involves removing the cloudy opacities in the crystalline lens of the eye, while leaving the capsule intact. A plastic intraocular lens (IOL) is then inserted into the capsule.
This artificial lens corrects the person’s vision to a predetermined state. However, patients will still need to see me for a follow-up consultation about corrective or protective lenses around six weeks after the operation.
Scenario A: Correcting Both Eyes for Distance Vision
If a person wore thick glasses before surgery and the surgeon decides to correct both eyes for clear distance vision, then:
After a successful operation, both eyes could see well at a distance, and the patient may walk around without glasses.
However, near vision will remain blurred, requiring additional correction for reading or close-up tasks.
Two main options exist:
Single-vision reading glasses – worn only for near tasks and removed for distance vision.
Multifocal glasses – more convenient as they allow clear vision at all distances without switching between glasses.
Even after surgery, some small visual aberrations may remain, especially noticeable during activities like night driving.
Therefore, it is incorrect to say you will never need glasses after cataract surgery. A more accurate statement is that you will likely be free of your thick spectacles and able to see in the distance unaided, but you will still need glasses for close-up tasks and possibly for fine-tuning distance vision.
Scenario B: The “Off-the-Shelf” Readers Option
After Cataract Surgery, many patients are told they will only need inexpensive “off-the-shelf” readers after cataract surgery. While these can be useful as a backup, they are not a substitute for custom-prescribed spectacles.
Ready-made readers are two identical lenses with a fixed power.
They do not take into account individual prescription differences, astigmatism, or specific working distances.
While they won’t damage your eyes, they won’t provide optimal protection or comfort for extended use.
As an example, you may think your distance and near vision is perfect until you put on your custom-made spectacles and then you realise what “perfect vision” truly feels like.
Scenario C: Monovision Correction
Another approach is monovision, where the surgeon corrects one eye for distance and the other for near vision. This offers everyday convenience, but only about 65% of people adapt well to it.
Challenges with monovision include:
Eye fatigue from relying on one eye at a time.
Reduced depth perception (judging distance)
Difficulty judging distances while driving, particularly at night
In this case, many patients still benefit from multifocal glasses to balance out monovision when needed.
The Bottom Line: Will You Still Need Glasses?
After cataract surgery, most patients will still need some form of spectacles, whether for reading, fine-tuning distance vision, or both.
The idea that you will never need glasses again is misleading.
What surgery does achieve is freedom from thick pre-surgery spectacles and significantly improved vision.
Communication with your surgeon and optometrist is key. Together, you can determine the best correction strategy for your lifestyle and needs.
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