What are the Complications of Cataract Surgery?

Most cataract surgeries proceed smoothly with little complication. However, there’s always the small risk of an issue—either during the surgery itself or afterward. 

Despite this, cataract surgery has a virtually 100% success rate, even if there is a problem. You’ll be monitored throughout the operation and during the healing process, ensuring that your surgeon can perform any necessary interventions for an optimal result.

Cataract Surgery Complications and How They’re Resolved

• Cataract surgery complications during the operation
• Cataract surgery complications post-procedure

Cataract surgery complications during the operation

Because cataract surgery is an invasive treatment (one that disrupts the tissue structure) there’s a very slight risk of bleeding and damage. To put this in perspective, this occurs in less than 1% of cataract operations. This means that this doesn’t occur in over 99% of cases.

So, safe to say that the odds are in your favor.

Of that 1%, the most common issue is something called Posterior Capsule Rupture (PCR). The rapid advancement of cataract surgery has, and continues to, reduce these incidences. Cataract surgeons also have cutting-edge methods of treating it. Even if it does happen during a cataract removal, it’s not likely to leave any permanent damage.

Cataract surgery complications post-procedure

Other risks that can occur during the healing process include:

• Infection: There is always a small risk of infection after any operation. You’ll be monitored for signs of this and, if necessary, be treated with antibiotics.
• Retinal tears and/or detachment: This is where damage occurs to the thin layer of light-receiving cells at the back of the eye, called the retina. Small tears usually heal themselves, although your surgeon will monitor for any progression. A retinal detachment is more serious and requires clinical intervention. There are many ways to treat this, but the aim is to push the tissue back into place and hold it there while it heals. This might be done by injecting a small bubble of gas into the eye (pneumatic retinopexy) or by attaching a band to hold it in place (scleral buckling).
• Blurring or vision distortion: This is less of a complication and more of a common post-operative stage. Many people experience some vision changes during the healing process. This usually resolves on its own with time. Your eye doctor will monitor this.
• Sensitivity to light: Again, this is usually part of the healing process.
• A dislocated lens: There’s a small chance that the lens might move out of position. Treatment will depend on the extent of the movement. A slight shift might not need any intervention. A more major dislocation may require further surgery to re-site it.
• Posterior capsule opacity (PCO): This is by far the most common issue, occurring in anywhere from 5%-25% of people. Thankfully, there’s an easy, 5-minute fix called YAG laser. PCO is when proteins in the eye begin to clamp together on the tiny piece of lens capsule that the new lens is fitted to. It can mimic the symptoms of cataracts (blurred vision, yellowing of colors, seeing halos around light, etc.), hence its more common, but slightly incorrect, name of a secondary cataract. It can occur any time after cataract surgery, from weeks to months to years. A single YAG laser procedure will fix the problem for good.

Other, extremely rare complications after surgery include glaucoma and macular edema.

Worried About Cataract Surgery Complications? Contact the WBEC for the Best Advice and Care

Whether you have age-related cataracts or another, less-common, form, we know that being told you need a cataract procedure can be a frightening prospect. At the West Boca Eye Center, we don’t just provide the ultimate cataract care. We also do our utmost to provide you with all the information to feel confident about what will happen.

This includes addressing any concerns you might have about cataract surgery complications. 

Discover more at https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery and give us a call to arrange a consultation. There’s many reasons we’re one of the best places in the country for your cataract care, and we’d love to show you them in person.

Most cataract surgeries proceed smoothly with little complication. However, there’s always the small risk of an issue—either during the surgery itself or afterward.

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