Cataractsurgery is a very common throw in of eye surgery.
Acataractis when your eyeslens, the thin covering at the front of your eyeball, is clouded over.
Less light can get through, and it becomes harder and harder to see as the cataract gets worse.
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Incataract surgery, your damaged lens is removed.
Then a man-made version, called anintraocular lens, is implanted.
This procedure restores eyesight in 90% of cases.
Still, there arerisks related to any surgery.
Problems after surgery are more likely if you have other eye problems or medical conditions.
Normal Side Effects
The most common side effects of cataract surgery are minor.
These issues usually go away within a short period of time without any additional treatment.
Call your doctor if the feeling goes away but starts again days later or anytime it feels unbearable.
In some cases, itchiness could be a sign of infection.
Dont drive until your vision is totally clear.
Floaters
Floatersare spots that come in and out of your line of vision.
They usually look like floating dots or squiggly threads.
What youre seeing is actually clumps of the gel-like substance that makes up the inside of the eyeball.
Floaters can form if the gel separates from the retina during cataract surgery.This is called posterior vitreous detachment.
These usually fade over time and dont cause pain.
Theres no treatment for floaters in these cases.
Light Sensitivity
After surgery, its normal to feel like everyday light is a little too bright.
It may feel uncomfortable for a few days.
Some people even need to wear sunglasses until the sensitivity is completely gone.
Droopy Eyelid
After surgery, the eyelid may hang down slightly.
This calledptosis or droopy eyelid.
Usually, the droopiness is temporary.
If it doesnt go away on its own, you might need surgery to correct it.
These problems include damage to the eye structure or contamination of the eye.
The effects can usually be reversed, allowing you to enjoy clear vision.
Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO)
When complications do occur, theyre often related toposterior capsular opacification.
PCO is sometimes called secondary cataracts because it causes clouded vision similar to cataracts.
Cells sometimes build up on this capsule behind the new lens.
The capsule thickens and blocks your vision.
Doctors can easily treat PCO.
First, they numb the eye with eye drops.
Then, alaser removes the layer of cellson the capsule.
Infection
An infection can develop inside the eye, known asendophthalmitis.
This pop in of infection is usually sparked by bacteria getting into the eye during surgery.
The most commonbacterial infectionis due toStaphylococcus epidermidis, which is found naturally on the eyelids and skin.
Once diagnosed with an infection, you gotta start antibiotics immediately.
If the infection has already spread, you may also need to have surgery to remove damaged tissue.
This makes fluid collect in the eye, and that fluid will leak out.
For nine out of 10 people with cataracts, surgery totally restores their eyesight.
The most common risks are easily treatable.
Rare Complications
Some of the complications discussed below can sound very serious and scary.
Keep in mind that they occur very rarely.
Doctors are very experienced with dealing with these problems, so long-term complications are unlikely.
Double Vision
Double vision, known asdiplopia, is when you see one object as two.
In rare instances, it can develop after cataract surgery.
There are a number of reasons why it might occur.
During surgery, this can become separated from the tissue under it.
That can significantly hurt your vision.
Your doctor will need to reattach the retina and repair any tears.
Unfortunately, even after the retina is fixed, you may have long-term problems related to the retinal damage.
Bleeding in the Eye
Bleeding in the eye is known assuprachoroidalhemorrhage.
This is when blood builds up between the thin layers of the eye during cataract surgery.
Thanks to modern surgical methods, this doesnt happen often.
When it does, it can often be treated with medication.
Sometimes it goes away on its own.
Swelling of the Macula
The macula is in the center of the retina.
It is the area of your vision in which you see images most sharply and clearly.
Fluid can build up in the macula after cataract surgery.
This causes swelling known asedema.
The fluid buildup may start a few weeks after surgery.
Eye drops can reduce the swelling, so the condition usually doesnt last too long.
This swelling happens much more often than retinal detachment or endophthalmitis.
Increased Intraocular Pressure (IOP)
Inside the eye is fluid known as theaqueoushumor.
The fluid sometimes collects in the eye and causes pressure to build up.
Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS)
TASS affects the back of the eye.
Its usually sparked by contaminants getting into the eye from surgical equipment.
This leads to edema, inflammation, and other symptoms.
If youre exposed to the contaminated material during surgery, you might show signs of TASS within 24 hours.
Applying steroid ointment or cream to the eyes or taking oral steroids can cure TSS.
However, the damage brought on by the inflammation can still result in permanent damage to your eyesight.
Retained Lens Fragments
Even the most skilled eye surgeons sometimes have problems completely removing cataracts.
A piece of the original lens with cataracts may remain in the eye after surgery.
Doctors will need to operate again if a fragment is accidentally left behind.
Iris Prolapse
Aprolapseis when something bulges or falls out.
This can happen as a surgeon is operating on the eye.
Iris prolapse is very rare.
Todays surgical instruments are more precise, and they prevent the iris from coming out.
This dislocation of the lens happens if the capsule surrounding the lens bursts.
Sometimes, the lens moves, but theres no change to your vision or the health of the eye.
In these instances, you dont need to do anything.
If your vision is affected, youll need surgery again to fix the lens.
Medical advances have made cataract surgery even safer than it was a decade ago.
Surgery can be risky, though.
Possible complications could be due to:
Doctors can usually successfully treat problems that come up.
There is, though, a risk of permanent loss of eyesight or discomfort after the operation.
Risk Factors
Complications from cataract surgery are sometimes related to the unavoidable risks of surgery.
Summary
Cataract surgery is a very effective way to cure a common eye problem.
In the vast majority of cases, it helps to save a persons eyesight.
However, you should be prepared for some temporary vision problems like blurriness.
These usually go away on their own as you heal.
In rare instances, there are complications.
A Word from Verywell
Many people avoid having cataracts removed because they are afraid of surgery.
Its understandable and very normal to worry about any operation.
Thankfully, though, cataract surgery had become a very routine procedure.
Doctors perform the operation so often, they should be prepared for any complications that arise.
Talking with people who have had the operation can ease some worries.
Dont be afraid to ask your doctor many questions.
Getting answers can help you to relax and heal better after the operation.
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