Cataract Surgery: What Should You Know?

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After cataract surgery, the vitreous may separate from the retina, a condition known as posterior vitreous detachment. Along with bursts of light, it causes you to see moving spider webs and clouds. It typically resolves on its own in a few months. As the symptoms resemble retinal detachment, contact your physician immediately to have the condition evaluated.

Fremont, CA: Cataract surgery usually goes well. You recover without any long-term problems and end up with better vision. However, there are hazards associated with any operation, particularly if you have a significant medical condition or other visual issues.

Knowing what could go wrong is helpful. You can closely monitor symptoms and contact your physician if something feels wrong.

Infection

During surgery, germs may enter your eye and cause an infection. You may experience pain, redness, and vision issues or feel light-sensitive. If you experience this, contact your physician immediately.

Antibiotics will be injected into your eye if you have an infection following cataract surgery, though these are uncommon. To prevent the disease from spreading, your doctor may also remove the vitreous, the clear gel in the middle of the eye.

Lens Fragments

Some fragments of your hazy lens may fall into your eye and be left behind after your doctor removes them during cataract surgery. Bigger ones can cause issues, but smaller ones don't. Surgery might be necessary to remove the vitreous and stop swelling.

Fluid Buildup on the Retina

Blood vessels in the retina can occasionally leak following surgery. Fluid builds up in the eye, blurring vision.

The healing process may take weeks or months; your doctor will treat it with eye medications. Usually, it becomes better. In more severe situations, surgery or a steroid injection behind the eye can be required.

Dislocated Intraocular Lens (IOL)

During surgery, your doctor inserts an artificial lens called an IOL into your eye. When it moves out of place, it may result in double or impaired vision.

Additionally, it may result in more severe problems, including edema and bleeding. Surgery might be required to replace it or move it back into place.

Secondary Cataract

The lens capsule surrounds the eye's lens. Cataract surgery preserves the back of the lens while removing the front portion. There, you could develop posterior capsule opacification (PCO), another name for a secondary cataract. After that, you can get another foggy vision. After cataract surgery, it typically occurs in due course.

To correct it, a YAG laser capsulotomy surgery is required. Your doctor uses a laser to make a hole in the rear of the lens capsule. Light can pass through, allowing for normal vision. The surgery is painless and takes roughly five minutes. This is a normal process that occurs in all patients who have had cataract surgery.

Light Sensitivity

This might be typical, but consult your physician if it persists over a few days.

Sometimes, you must wear sunglasses for a few months to eliminate it. However, if it's a symptom of another problem, such as excessive eye inflammation, you might require eye drops.