When you have cataract surgery you get a new lens but not a new eye. Your retina damage will still be there. You likely will see better but not normal. If your retina surgeon advises you to have the cataract surgery do so, the cataract also makes it very difficult to see your retina and monitor it for new tears or RD. Also in unusual cases a cataract can get 'too ripe' and start to break up in the eye causing severe pain, glaucoma and makes the surgery much more risky. Have the surgery when the retina surgeon tells you to.