will i have to become blind before i receive treatment for cataracts in right eye?

[catherine372]

do i need to wit to become blind before obtaining cataract treatment?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes in countries with socialized medicine (UK, Canada, Australia) one of the first things the government did was to ration cataract surgery either by paying for only a small amount of those needed each year or restricting surgery to poor to very poor vision.

Ideally the surgery would be done when cataracts are keeping a person from doing the things they need to do and enjoy doing and its a moderate or large problem and they understand the risks involved.

JCH MD

[elkieluca]

I am in UK and they wouldn't do my eyes until I couldn't see to drive anymore.  But I must say my eyes are wonderful now and after years of wearing glasses I don't have to now so it was worth the wait I suppose.

[baggyrinkle]

No. Not unless you want the govt to pay for it. Oh, wait you are in the UK, then yes you will have to wait until you are blind as a bat!