What are the disadvantages of cataract surgery?

Asked by: Anahi Powlowski MD  |  Last update: November 14, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (21 votes)

What Are the Risks of Cataract Surgery?
  • Eye infection.
  • Bleeding in the eye.
  • Ongoing swelling of the front of the eye or inside of the eye.
  • Swelling of the retina (the nerve layer at the back of your eye).
  • Detached retina (when the retina lifts up from the back of the eye).
  • Damage to other parts of your eye.

What is the most common complication of cataract surgery?

Cystoid Macular Edema

CME is the most frequent complication after an uncomplicated cataract surgery.

What are the downsides of cataract surgery?

One of the most common side effects of cataract surgery is blurry vision. Fortunately, the blurriness is usually temporary and resolves on its own with time. If you experience persistent blurriness, it is a sign you should contact your doctor for further clarification.

Does vision ever get worse after a cataract surgery?

No, your vision generally doesn't deteriorate after cataract surgery unless other problems arise, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. In cataract surgery, the eye doctor (ophthalmologist) removes the clouded lens from your eye and replaces it with a clear, artificial lens.

Why is my vision so bad after cataract surgery?

Inflammation in the eye can happen after cataract surgery, but it is typically harmless. Any inflammation within the eye following cataract surgery is the body's natural response to having the eye's lens removed. This reaction causes blurry vision, but your eye doctor can prescribe medication to help.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cataract surgery?

27 related questions found

How long will my vision be blurry after cataract removal?

In most cases, vision improves immediately after surgery, although pupils may remain dilated for 1-2 days. As the eyes heal and adjust, some patients may experience blurry vision. Blurry vision usually clears the day following the surgery. However, for some people vision can take several days to return to normal.

How long does it take for eyes to fully adjust after cataract surgery?

Depending on the IOL you choose for your cataract surgery, it may take three to six weeks before your vision fully stabilizes. You may find it especially difficult to adjust to monovision.

Does your eyeglass prescription change after cataract surgery?

Some change to your current glasses prescription is usually needed after the surgery, whatever lens is chosen. If you have never needed to use prescription glasses in the past, you will need to start using them after your cataract operation.

Should I wear my old glasses after cataract surgery?

In this case, your old prescription glasses won't match the newly operated eye; however, there is no harm wearing them if they help the opposite eye. If the old prescription lens is way off or bothersome, it can be removed from that side of your eyeglass frame.

How long does it take for the brain to adjust to cataract surgery?

It's a big period of adjustment that takes longer for some patients than others. Some people may experience perfect vision in a matter of days or weeks following surgery, while others may take 6 months or longer for the full benefits to take effect.

When is it too late to have cataract surgery?

But is there such a thing as having cataract surgery too early or too late? Not exactly. While cataracts can be removed at any stage of development, Medicare and private insurance carriers will only cover the procedure when cataracts have begun to impact a patient's life as described above.

What is the failure rate of cataract surgery?

Most people do exceedingly well with cataract surgery. Its success rate is about 99 percent. Complications from cataract surgery are rare but may include corneal swelling and/or inflammation in the eyes.

What percentage of people have problems with cataract surgery?

One study showed that of 221,000 cataract surgery patients, 99.5 percent had no serious complications after their surgery.

How long to wear eye shield at night after cataract surgery?

take it easy for the first 2 to 3 days. use your eye shield at night for at least a week.

How do you sleep after cataract surgery?

After your cataract surgery, you'll be provided with an eye shield to protect your eye from dust, grime and anything else that could irritate your eye or cause infection. Sleeping on your back instead of your side can reduce the possibility of your eye shield slipping while you're wearing it overnight.

How long after cataract surgery can you lift 20 lbs?

Though it may be quite tempting, don't try to lift anything that's over 10 pounds in the first week after cataract surgery. If you consider yourself a weight lifter, avoid this exercise for at least 5 weeks to be safe.

Will I need stronger reading glasses after cataract surgery?

Because most IOLs used in cataract surgery can only provide clear distance or clear near vision, you will need glasses to correct for whatever the lens doesn't provide. Usually, just one lens in your glasses needs to be updated for the eye that was operated on.

What are the best glasses to wear after cataract surgery?

When getting sunglasses after cataract surgery, be sure to get ones that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. It would be best if you also got glasses that block light from getting in on the sides of your face. You want to keep sunlight out of your eyes as much as possible while they heal.

What glasses are best after cataract surgery?

If you're comfortable wearing glasses after cataract surgery, a monofocal lens may be the right choice. If you want to avoid wearing distance glasses after cataract surgery and have astigmatism, a toric lens might be appropriate.

Can I drive 2 days after cataract surgery?

Driving After Cataract Surgery

Post-surgery, it's common for vision to be blurry for a few days. Many people can drive again within 24 hours. However, it's highly recommended you do not drive until you've seen your eye doctor after the surgery. Your ophthalmologist may recommend you wait a few more days before driving.

How do I know if my lens has moved after cataract surgery?

Patients with a dislocated IOL may experience a decrease or change in vision, diplopia, and/or glare. Additionally, they may report ocular pain or headaches from intermittent angle-closure and/or inflammation. Some patients also report seeing the edge of the IOL.

Do colors look different after cataract surgery?

Following removal of these cataractous lenses, there is a substantial increase in shorter visible-wavelength light reaching the retina and patients often report large shifts in color.

What happens if you don t wear sunglasses after cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery and sunglasses

Either way, the surgery has still left your retina vulnerable, and even if you have an IOL with that UV coating, you're still at risk to eye damage due to UV rays. You could even cause your cataracts to return as UV rays are one of the leading causes of cataracts.

What is the most feared complication of cataract surgery?

Although the incidence of endophthalmitis is only 0.13%, this remains the most feared complication of cataract surgery with a potential devastating effect.

Do most people see 20 20 after cataract surgery?

While many people will obtain 20/20 vision from their IOL, 30 to 50 percent of people who choose a monofocal IOL will still require corrective lenses after surgery.