When I went for a regular eye checkup and replacement glasses 2.5 years ago, the Optometrist told me I had glaucoma and cataracts, referring me to a local Ophthalmologist. Instead, I saw the Ophthalmologist at my VA clinic who, after a lengthy exam, told me I did not have glaucoma but did have mild cataracts in both eyes.
He has been seeing me annually since then with my last visit on Feb 14. He keeps questioning me on how I am doing on daily activities which as I told him, I have no problems with right now. He said he keeps asking because if my quality of life starts to be effected by my cataracts, he will authorize the surgery on my eyes, all I need to do is call him to get it set up. I'm in no hurry as I really don't notice any vision issues right now. I have +3.5 for astigmatism in both eyes and have worn glasses since grade school so just readers would be heaven at this point as I am currently 70.
Still, surgery is surgery and no surgery comes without some level of risk so I am grateful nobody is pushing me towards acting before I am ready. Not sure of my lens options anyway with the VA so may even go with a regular eye surgeon when the time comes.
I did mention to the VA Ophthalmologist that my only real concern was passing my eye exam for my drivers license renewal in the next two years. He told me that should be no problem at all with my current corrected eyesight and if it was, he would sign off the paperwork for the DMV. That's all I needed to hear. So I am somewhat torn between the risk of surgery and the desire to reduce my dependency on eyeglasses.