Cataract Surgery Risks and Complications You Should Know

Cataract surgery risks and complications are rare and its successful results are extremely high. Nevertheless, as any other medical operations, there are always risks and complications you should be aware of. The risk of blindness is extremely low and may happen if there is infection or bleeding in the eye.
The following are common risks of cataract surgery that usually occur after the surgery itself.

Retinal detachment is a condition when fluid leak through a tear in the retina. This causes the retina detached from the back of the eye. Patients who have retinal detachment after surgery, will see flashes of light or dark spots. It is necessary to have an immediate examination if this condition occur, though these symptoms generally happen after cataract surgery.

Posterior Capsule Opacity (PCO), is a condition where your vision is cloudy or blurry after cataract surgery. A PCO is a hazy membrane (capsule) behind the artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that was implanted during your cataract surgery to replace your natural lens. A YAG laser is generally used to treat posterior capsule opacity and it is done in simple steps: dilating eye drops, hazy posterior capsule removal and anti-inflammatory eye drops. The entire procedure will take only a few minutes without causing discomfort and pain.

Another cataract risk surgery is mal-positioned or dislocated intraocular lenses that causes double vision and if the intraocular lens becomes very badly dislocated, your visual sharpness will decrease substantially. If you have this condition it is advisable to have an immediate action from your doctor and it is possible that you might follow a second procedure.

Cystoid macula edema or decreased vision, is a condition caused to swelling in the layer of nerve cells that covers the retina. The macula is the part of the retina that responds to light in the central part of the visual field. Even in cataract surgery that has no risk and complication, blood vessels in the retina can swell causing decreased vision. Contact your doctor immediately if this condition occurs. An anti-inflammatory eye drops or injections of steroids to the back of the eye can treat this problem

Dislocated lens material is a rare occurrence where fragments of the lens have fallen into the cavity behind the membrane that surrounds the lens. Virectomy procedure can remove particles and reduce the swelling.

Endophthalmitus or infection inside the eye may occur after surgery that cause pain, swelling, redness and sensitivity to light. Usually antibiotic eye drops are administered to treat this condition and infection will heal eventually.

Choroidal hemorrhage is when the web of fine blood vessels (choroids) bleed during surgery. Choroidal hemorrhage usually occurs in patients who have high blood pressure or glaucoma. When a hemorrhage confined to a small area patients may only have small risk of visual loss but if the hemorrhage is severe, significant visual loss may occur.

Even cataract surgery risks and complications are rare thanks to the modern medical research and innovations, you should be aware of any possibility laying ahead.

Remember that your eyes are very precious and you have many chances and opportunity to have better vision. What could be more important than having a clear eyesight and enjoy a carefree life?