What is the primary treatment for cataracts?

• A. Observation with regular monitoring
• B. Surgical removal of cataract
• C. Topical antibiotics only
• D. Laser therapy without surgery

Answer: (B)

Cataracts cloud the lens and blur vision, so the definitive way to restore sight is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens. This surgical removal, often done by phacoemulsification, directly eliminates the opacity and restores focusing. Observation is only reasonable if vision is minimally affected, but it does not reverse the clouding. Topical antibiotics address infection risk, not the lens opacity, and laser therapy without removing the lens cannot improve vision because the cloudy lens remains. In modern practice, lasers may assist the surgical steps, but the must-do action to correct the problem is removing the cataract and implanting a new lens.