How Long Does it Take to Go Blind from Cataracts?

Developing cataracts is part of the aging process that, unfortunately, will come to us all if we’re lucky enough to live to a ripe old age. By the age of 80, multiple studies have shown that virtually every human will either have cataracts or have had an operation to remove them. 

That last statement, “have had an operation to remove them”, is the very reason that—in the Western world, at least—there is no need for any of us to have to lose our vision to the condition.

Cataract Surgery: the modern marvel that means you don’t have to worry about a diagnosis

• A typical cataract timeline
• Slow progression equals gradual vision loss
• Without intervention, how long does it take to go blind from cataracts? 

A typical cataract timeline

When we consider the most common type of cataracts (those that occur from advancing age), it’s possible to determine the typical progression timeline. It’s important to note that other kinds of cataracts have a much faster progression (those caused by trauma, in particular) and the much rarer pediatric type that are present from birth. These less-common cataracts require specialist diagnosis, monitoring, and care from a cataract specialist.

However, when most people talk about cataracts, it’s usually about the ones that occur as we age.

These are typically diagnosed after the age of 50 (and most commonly after 60+ years of life). They’ll be picked up during a regular eye exam and you may well be very surprised. This is because cataracts don’t usually have any symptoms until they’re well progressed—and that usually takes years to occur.

After diagnosis, the cataract/s will be monitored during your eye checks. After some years you’ll start to experience some symptoms. These might include some or all of the following:

• Seeing halos around light sources.
• Fading, yellowing colors.
• Difficulty seeing clearly in low-light situations.
• Lack of focus when driving at night.
• Fuzzy, blurred, or even double vision.
• Increasingly frequent prescription changes.

Slow progression equals gradual vision loss

All the above sounds rather alarming—but there’s no need to worry. Because cataracts evolve so slowly—usually taking years to get to the stage where you notice eyesight anomalies—you might not even be aware when they first start happening. This is why it’s so important to attend your regular eye examinations where your ophthalmologist can determine if there is any vision deterioration.

Without intervention, how long does it take to go blind from cataracts?

Because the evolution of the disease is so slow, it can take many years (or even decades) to progress to the point of blindness. At a minimum, it would take at least 10 years—but longer in many, many cases.

However, the simple procedure of modern cataract surgery that removes the diseased lens and replaces it with an artificial one (known as an intraocular lens, or IOL) means that going blind from cataracts is no longer something we need to suffer from. A cataract operation takes around 30 minutes—and that includes all the pre-op preparation—and is carried out on an outpatient basis. The procedure is carried out in the doctor’s office and you’ll return home the same day.

The recovery period is fast, and you’ll be fully back to normal activities within 6-8 weeks, including sports and doing all the other things you love.

Contact the West Boca Eye Center Today for the Ultimate Cataract Care

Whatever your cataract concerns (and that includes the much rarer traumatic cataracts or pediatric cataracts) there’s no better care on offer in the US than at the WBEC. Lead clinician, Brent Bellotte MD., is a world-renowned expert and has played a pivotal role in the advancement of cataract surgery and procedures.

Discover more about treatment options at https://westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery/ and call us today to book an appointment.

Developing cataracts is part of the aging process that, unfortunately, will come to us all if we’re lucky enough to live to a ripe old age.

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