Blurry Vision 2 Years After Cataract Surgery

So, you’ve undergone cataract surgery, got through it, and benefited from improved vision. Phew! Thank goodness for that. But then… A while later, be it a few months, a couple of years, or perhaps longer, the symptoms start to return. Surely it can’t be another cataract forming? Rest assured, it’s impossible for a cataract to come back. However, there is another condition that affects around 25% of people post-cataract op.It’s called Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) and can mimic the very same initial symptoms you suffered with cataracts. However, the great news is that it’s totally treatable, with a procedure that takes only a few minutes.Read on to discover the next steps that’ll free you from this common condition once and for all.

The Science Behind PCO

• What is PCO and why can it cause blurry vision 2 years after cataract surgery

What is PCO and why can it cause blurry vision 2 years after cataract surgery

To understand what PCO is, you first need to delve a little deeper into what happens during cataract surgery. You probably know that the lens with the cataracts is removed and replaced with an artificial one. This needs to be done because cataracts form when proteins clump together on the lens and prevent light from passing through it. But did you know that the lens is surrounded by a capsule—one that needs to be opened with a laser for the natural lens to be destroyed (by an ultrasound process known as phacoemulsification)?PCO is caused by proteins once again clumping together, but this time they do so on the small element of the capsule that was left in the eye for the artificial lens to be attached to. This is at the back of the eye, hence the “posterior” in the name of the condition.Somewhat confusingly, this has become known as a “secondary cataract”. The condition can occur from months to years after the cataract removal op but has very similar symptoms to the original cataract—such as blurred vision.Thankfully, there’s an extremely easy fix. It’s known as a YAG laser and can be carried out in a few minutes. Your ophthalmologist will give you some numbing drops and then zap the offending proteins with this painless procedure. You’ll return home straight afterward and that’s it—only a single treatment is needed for a definitive result. Happy days…!

Other Causes of Blurry Vision 2 Years After Cataract Surgery

• Let your ophthalmologist rule out other causes

Let your ophthalmologist rule out other causes

Of course, there is always a slight chance that blurry vision after cataract surgery is down to a different reason. It could be as simple as a changing prescription or perhaps an advanced artificial lens might have moved. Other causes could be an unrelated condition, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. The main point here is this: if you experience blurry vision at any time—2 years after cataract surgery or at any other point—then you need an expert diagnosis. This is when you pick up the phone and book an appointment with your ophthalmologist. He or she will give you a full eye examination and carry out any necessary tests. As with any medical condition, early diagnosis is key and prompt professional assessment is the best way to achieve this.

Blurry Vision 2 Years After Cataract Surgery (or less, or longer). Get PCO Treated Fast at the West Boca Eye Center

The WBEC is one of, if not THE, leading clinic for all things cataract-related in the whole USA. It’s a custom-built, academic-grade clinic headed by one of the world’s leading cataract surgeons, Brent Bellotte MD. Not only has he been pivotal in the advancement of cataract surgery as we know it today, but he continues to dedicate his career to the treatment of patients at the clinic alongside his academic work that pushes the boundaries to bring ever more pioneering treatments.Your eyesight is precious, so don’t settle for anything less than the best. Visit  https://westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery/ for more info and call to speak to the WBEC team today.