Cataract Surgery

Lasik Complications | Lasik Eye Surgery Risks

If a cataract has impaired your vision to the extent that you can no longer perform everyday tasks, it's time to consider cataract surgery.

Definition

A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. In cataract surgery, an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) removes the clouded lens from your eye and, in most cases, replaces the lens with an artificial lens. Cataract surgery is usually successful — more than 90 percent of people who have a cataract removed enjoy improved vision after the procedure.

Why it's done

If a cataract is making it difficult for you to carry out your normal activities, your doctor may suggest cataract surgery. Even if your visual acuity isn't severely affected, you might want cataract surgery to remove a cataract that's causing problems with glare or double vision.

When a cataract interferes with the treatment of another eye problem, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachment, prompt cataract removal also may be advisable. In younger people or people with diabetes, cataracts may progress rapidly, making the need for surgery more urgent.

In most cases, waiting to have surgery won't harm your eye, so you have time to consider your options. If your vision is still quite good, you may not need cataract surgery for many years, if ever. Approach the decision with these questions in mind:

• Can you see to do your job and drive safely?
• Do you have problems reading or watching television?
• Is it difficult to cook, shop, do yardwork, climb stairs or take medications?
• Do vision problems affect your level of independence?

Risks

Complications after cataract surgery are uncommon, and most can be treated successfully.

Cataract surgery risks include:

• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Retinal detachment
• Glaucoma
• Second cataract

Your risk of complications is greater if you have another eye disease or a serious medical condition affecting any part of your body. Occasionally, cataract surgery fails to improve vision because of underlying eye damage from conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. It's important to evaluate and treat such eye problems, if possible, before making the decision to proceed with cataract surgery.

 

After the procedure
With phacoemulsification and foldable lens implants, surgical incisions are very small, and sutures may not be necessary. If all goes well, you'll heal fast and your vision will start to improve within a few days.

You'll typically see your eye doctor the day after your surgery, the following week and then again after a month to monitor healing.

It's normal to feel itching and mild discomfort for a couple of days after surgery. Avoid rubbing or pressing on your eye. Clean your eyelids with tissue or cotton balls to remove any crusty discharge. You may wear an eye patch or protective shield the day of surgery. Your doctor may prescribe eyedrops or other medication to prevent infection and control eye pressure. After a couple of days, all discomfort should disappear. Often, complete healing occurs within eight weeks.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Vision loss
• Pain that persists despite the use of over-the-counter pain medications
• Increased eye redness
• Light flashes or multiple spots (floaters) in front of your eye
• Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing

You're likely to need glasses after cataract surgery, both for reading and to correct astigmatism, a focusing problem caused by uneven curving of the cornea. Although astigmatism is often unavoidable, it's not likely to be a significant problem if your surgeon is able to remove the cataract through a very small incision. Your doctor will let you know when your eyes have healed enough for you to get a final prescription for eyeglasses.

If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor typically schedules a second surgery a month or two later to remove the cataract in your other eye. This allows time for the first eye to heal before the second eye surgery takes place.

 

 

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