Cataract surgery can still be suitable in dementia, but decisions are highly individual and focus on comfort, safety, and quality of life.
When surgery may be beneficial
Clearer vision can sometimes ease confusion and dependence.
- Distressing visual symptoms such as obvious blur or glare
- Potential to improve recognition of faces and surroundings
- Family or carers able to support drops, shielding, and follow‑up
- Person is likely to tolerate local anaesthetic with reassurance or light sedation
- Multidisciplinary agreement that benefits outweigh stresses of surgery
When surgery may not be appropriate
Sometimes the burden exceeds likely gain.
- Advanced dementia with severe agitation or inability to cooperate
- Lack of support to manage postoperative treatment and appointments
- Other eye disease leaving limited visual potential
- Significant medical frailty or anaesthetic risk
- Preference, expressed earlier or via family discussions, not to pursue further interventions
