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Complications of Cataract
Surgery
Glaucoma or a buildup of
pressure within the eye
(intraocular pressure) also
sometimes occurs after
cataract surgery. If your
eye pressure remains high,
you may need additional
treatment such as eye drops,
a laser procedure, pills or
additional surgery.
Far more rarely, you might
experience problems such as
a decentered intraocular
lens that might need to be
repositioned or replaced in
a second surgery. Various
complications, ranging from
minor to serious, also can
take place as a direct
result of the surgical
procedure, including tearing
of the posterior capsule
holding the intraocular lens
in place.
Retinal detachments also are
possible in up to 3.6
percent of people following
cataract surgery
(Ophthalmology reference
book, 2004), particularly if
you have unusually long eyes
associated with
nearsightedness. Some eye
surgeons dispute this direct
association with cataract
surgery (EyeWorld, November
2004), because highly
nearsighted people already
are at risk of retinal
detachments with or without
cataract surgery.
If you notice fading vision
similar to a curtain moving
across your field of view or
flashes of light,
immediately seek medical
help for a possible retinal
detachment. Retinas can
frequently be reattached and
vision restored, but only if
action is taken promptly.
Endophthalmitis causing
widespread inflammation or
infection of the eye can be
a serious side effect of
cataract surgery that can
lead to permanent vision
loss and even blindness.
Various studies indicate
that endophthalmitis occurs
in about one out of every
thousand cataract surgeries.
Endophthalmitis also is more
likely to be seen in people
with compromised immune
systems associated with
conditions such as diabetes
(Ophthalmology Clinics of
North America, December
2006).
However, even serious
cataract surgery
complications often can be
resolved with appropriate
follow-up treatments.
Cataract Surgery Outcomes
A comprehensive study
reported in Archives of
Ophthalmology in 1994 noted
that 95.5 percent of healthy
eyes achieved 20/40
uncorrected vision (legally
acceptable for driving) or
better outcomes following
cataract surgery. Of the
more than 17,000 eyes
evaluated, fewer than 2
percent had
sight-threatening
complications.
Remember that
sight-threatening
complications often are
associated with individuals
who already have poor
underlying health affecting
how their eyes heal. Also,
some individuals have
complications because their
cataracts are far more
advanced or "hardened" at
the time of surgery, making
them difficult to remove.
A Swedish study published in
the British Journal of
Ophthalmology in November
1999 found that
self-reported outcomes among
people who had undergone
cataract surgery were less
satisfactory when other eye
problems were present.
Younger individuals
undergoing cataract surgery
reported the highest
satisfaction levels.
The British journal also
reported study results in
December 2000 indicating
that people in their 60s
undergoing cataract surgery
were 4.6 percent more likely
to achieve 20/40 uncorrected
vision or better than people
in their 80s
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