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> its just that I was born with rop and from all my research and consultation with doctors I've learned that having cataract surgery could cause retinal tearing/detachment. Its a difficult choice to make. Go blind slowly or possibly go blind quickly. Its scary.

I went through this exact same thing when I was 34; ROP, only one eye, cataract getting worse, slowly losing what was left of my vision from it, and yes, it was terrifying. I put it off as long as possible in case things did take a turn for the worse.

In the end, everything worked out OK. I had to have an anterior capsulotomy about 8mo post-op because some of the anterior capsule tissue tried to regrow (can happen when you get cataract surgery at a young age) and about 2 years later, a posterior capsulotomy due to posterior capsule opacification, but I've had no retina issues as a result of any of that, thankfully (almost 40 now).

That said, I don't regret waiting, because if I had lost my vision at that point, well, at least I'd had some for a few months longer than I otherwise would have and I'd gotten used to having basically no functional vision by the time I had the surgery so the adjustment might have been easier?

You can't put it off _too_ long, though, because as the cataract gets worse it gets more difficult to operate on, which can increase the risk of complications even more.

My recommendation would be to find the best cataract surgeon you can find and talk to them about it. You have to find the balance between "waiting in case I go blind" and "have the surgery before the risks of complications increase even more."

My cataract surgeon and my retinologist coordinated on all of my pre-screenings and follow-up. Also, mine was done under general anesthesia, due to the increased risk and the surgeon wanting to take extra precautions.