Can cataract surgery be performed on both eyes at the same time?

In general, cataract surgery on both eyes can be performed simultaneously, but this requires strict eligibility criteria and is not suitable for all patients. The specific analysis is as follows:

Performing cataract surgery on both eyes at the same time has advantages such as reducing the number of hospital visits, shortening overall recovery time, and achieving more rapid, balanced visual improvement in both eyes. However, this approach places higher demands on the surgeon's skill and the hospital's equipment, and carries certain unique risks: if complications such as infection or abnormal intraocular pressure occur during or after surgery, both eyes may be affected simultaneously. Therefore, simultaneous bilateral surgery is only appropriate for patients with good ocular conditions, stable systemic health, and preoperative test results that meet the criteria for concurrent surgery.

If a patient has ocular inflammation, retinal disease, or poor physical tolerance, doctors typically recommend staged surgeries, spaced 1–2 weeks apart. The eye with poorer vision is operated on first, and the second eye is treated after stable recovery, thereby reducing the risk of complications occurring in both eyes at once.

Whether to perform cataract surgery on both eyes simultaneously should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Patients should visit a reputable ophthalmic hospital, undergo comprehensive evaluations, and receive an individualized surgical plan from an experienced doctor to ensure safe and effective vision improvement.