Health · Medical Research · 9 hrs ago
Cataract surgery has a success rate above 98%, eye doctors say
Cataracts cloud the eye’s natural lens, often gradually, and can cause glare and blurred vision.
Ophthalmologists Rubens Belfort Jr. and Tatiana Nahas discussed the condition and its treatment on a Brazilian TV program.
There is no eye drop, vitamin or vaccine to treat cataracts, the doctors said; surgery replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial one.
The procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and patients may notice better vision within 24 to 72 hours.
Cataract surgery has a success rate above 98%, though possible risks include infection, inflammation and problems positioning the new lens.
Doctors now prefer to operate when cataracts are still early, using less energy inside the eye to reduce the risk of complications.
Belfort said he expects that in 10 to 15 years surgery may be offered before cataracts develop, around age 50, but this was his view of a future trend.
Cataract surgery has a success rate above 98%, according to ophthalmologists interviewed by CNN Brasil.
Ophthalmologists Rubens Belfort Jr. and Tatiana Nahas discussed the condition, surgery and recovery on CNN Sinais Vitais.
The procedure replaces the eye’s cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens.
Nahas said surgery takes about 15 to 30 minutes and patients may notice improved vision within 24 to 72 hours.
The doctors said surgery is increasingly being considered earlier, rather than waiting for the cataract to become advanced.
- Who
- Ophthalmologists Rubens Belfort Jr. and Tatiana Nahas discussed cataracts and surgery.
- What
- They described cataract surgery as a well-established procedure with a success rate above 98%.
- When
- On CNN Sinais Vitais on Saturday, November 7; the article was published November 8, 2026.
- Where
- The discussion was on CNN Sinais Vitais. The location of the discussion was not stated.
- Why
- The surgery removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an artificial lens to restore vision.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rubens Belfort Jr. and Tatiana Nahas discussed cataracts and surgery on CNN Sinais Vitais.
CNN Brasil published its report on the discussion.
- Success rate
- Above 98%
- Procedure duration
- Around 15 to 30 minutes
- Early vision result
- Within 24 to 72 hours
- Speakers
- Rubens Belfort Jr. and Tatiana Nahas
- Publication date
- November 8, 2026
What people are saying
The cataract surgery is done with anesthetic eye drops or sedation, so the patient sleeps, sees nothing, feels nothing. It lasts around 15 to 30 minutes, and in the first few days the patient already notices a good result in vision, within the first 24 to 72 hours.
We prefer the cataract to be at its beginning. Because of the new techniques, we want the energy used to be low so as not to cause problems such as retinal detachment or more significant inflammation inside the eye.
There are no eye drops, no vitamins, no vaccine. When it becomes bothersome, you replace the lens with a more suitable lens.
I believe that in 10, 15 years we will be operating on cataracts before they happen, around the age of 50, to restore good vision.