What's the most important advice doctors can give to someone with cataracts?

I prefer to perform cataract surgery with my patients under monitored sedation (this is different from general anaesthesia or GA). Monitored sedation is when patients are completely asleep (without the need for GA) and under the close monitoring of an anaesthetist. Monitored sedation (unlike GA) is very safe, even for patients who have pre-existing medical conditions. I believe that patients have the best experience and are most comfortable when they are completely unaware of the ongoings of the surgery.

Indeed cataracts when they progress (which they almost certainly will) can potentially cause poor vision. Usually cataract-related blindness is reversible, i. e. once the cataract is removed, vision should be restored. However, cataracts may indirectly or directly contribute to other problems such as glaucoma, which can cause IRREVERSIBLE BLINDNESS. It is important to find out if there is a risk of glaucoma and if the lens / cataract is associated with the risk. In some cases, early cataract surgery is recommended to reduce the risk of narrow angle glaucoma.