What are the Disadvantages of Cataract Surgery?

To be straight, there really aren’t any downsides to having a cataract operation. Indeed, the only alternative is to continue with deteriorating eyesight because, if left unattended, the cataract will eventually cause virtual or complete blindness. 

What most people want to know when asking what the disadvantages of cataract surgery are, is about the potential side effects and risks.

The Truth About Cataracts (& what is really meant by the disadvantages of cataract surgery)

• Understanding what cataracts are
• The many benefits of having cataract surgery
• The disadvantages of having cataract surgery (AKA, the risks)

Understanding what cataracts are

Cataracts—or, to be more precise, age-related cataracts—will occur in everyone in the happy event that they live to a ripe old age. They are caused by proteins within the eye clumping together and building up on the lens. This happens very gradually—typically over years or decades.

As this layer gets thicker, light can no longer flow freely through the eye. This causes vision to deteriorate. Typical symptoms of cataracts are:

• Faded or yellowing of colors.
• Reduced vision in low light.
• Seeing a halo (circle of light) around a light source.
• Blurred vision.
• Double vision.

When you have a cataract operation, the diseased lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one.

The many benefits of having cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is virtually 100% successful at improving vision. The procedure is done millions of times each year. The overriding benefit is that your vision will be much improved.

While you may still have to wear glasses for near vision (although there are now very advanced artificial lenses that mean they might not be required), pretty much everyone is delighted with the results of cataract surgery.

The disadvantages of having cataract surgery (AKA, the risks)

Of course, every surgical procedure comes with an element of risk. However, with cataract surgery such risks generally surround extended recovery or the need for a further (usually minor) procedure. It’s very rare for a cataract operation to not be successful—even if this does mean delayed recovery or another intervention.

The main risks are:

• Swelling: Any trauma to the tissues can cause swelling. This is usually transient and eases over a few days or weeks.
• Bleeding: If you do suffer from bleeding then your surgeon will monitor this. It may delay the healing process a little.
• Infection: Minor infections are treated with oral antibiotics. You can dramatically reduce the risk of infection by using your eye drops correctly, using your eye shield at night for the first few nights (or for as long as you’ve been instructed) practicing great hand hygiene, and not touching or rubbing the eye.
• Lens dislocation: This is where the artificial lens shifts from its position. If it’s minor, then sometimes no action is taken. A more serious dislocation might need a further small procedure to re-site it.
• Retinal detachment: This is where the thin layer of light-receiving cells at the back of the eye starts to peel away. It’s usually accompanied by seeing flashing lights and the appearance of new floaters. A serious detachment is a medical emergency and needs prompt treatment. Thankfully, there are a variety of treatments with a good success rate.
• Glaucoma: There is a minor elevation in the risk of glaucoma (a condition where the pressure within the eye rises.
• Posterior capsule opacification: This is where proteins in the eye begin to clump together on the lens capsule that the artificial lens is attached to. It has symptoms similar to the original cataract, hence many people incorrectly call it a secondary cataract. It’s easily treated once and for all with a 5-minute treatment, called YAG laser.

The risks of cataract surgery are overwhelmingly outweighed by the benefits of having the operation.

Don’t Let Cataracts Ruin Your Life. Get Them Removed at the West Boca Eye Center

The disadvantages of cataract surgery (or, to be more precise, the risks and side effects of a removal procedure) are dramatically reduced by the skill of the surgeon and the techniques used.

Dr. Brent Bellotte, founder and lead clinician at the WBEC is a leading global figure in the field of cataract surgery. He’s dedicated his professional career to advancing cataract treatment and is considered by his peers to be one of the best in the world.

Find out more at the https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery

To be straight, there really aren’t any downsides to having a cataract operation. Indeed, the only alternative is to continue with deteriorating eyesight because, if left unattended, the cataract will eventually cause virtual or complete blindness.

‍