12th, July 2019 | Oh Jinna
5 Truths About Cataract Surgery Complications
You’ll be happy to know that there aren’t that many cataract surgery complications. In fact, cataract surgery is currently the most common and successful surgical operation available.
However, all surgeries have risks involved, and cataract surgery is no exception.
According to recent statistics from Laser Eye Surgery Hub, around there’s an estimated 330,000 cataract surgery being conducted every year in England.
And cataract surgery has a 95% success rate all over the world. Which leaves a little less than 5 percent of people who experience cataract surgery complications.
What is cataracts?
You’re eyes have natural lenses that help you refract light so you can see things.
But if you develop cataracts, your natural lens gradually becomes more murky or cloudy.
As a result, your vision will decrease according to the severity of your cataracts.
Imagine looking through a foggy window —that’s what people with cataracts see.
Read this article if you think your vision is getting cloudy: Signs You Might Have Eye Cataracts.
There are varying degrees of cataracts, which can lead to high levels of vision loss.
However, when your vision becomes too cloudy, you can opt to fix your eyes through cataract surgery.
Although this operation is very safe, like any type of surgery, you won’t be immune to possible cataract surgery complications.
What is cataract surgery?
There are different types of surgery to remove the clouding in your eye. However, the general idea of the procedure is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens.
Cataract surgery is normally an outpatient procedure, which means that you won’t have to stay in the hospital for more than a few hours.
1. Retinal Detachment
Old eye conditions or previous eye surgeries can sometimes lead to retinal detachment.
That’s why you should take surgical recovery very seriously and watch out for any symptoms of retinal surgery complications.
What is Retinal Detachment?
Your eye has a soft layer of tissue behind it, and when you have retinal detachment, it means that the tissue has been torn apart. When this happens, you lose the flow of oxygen and nutrients because your retinal cells have been separated from your blood vessels.
As a result, your eyes lose the nutrients and oxygen it needs to maintain your vision.
When you have a retinal detachment, you should have your eye treated immediately because you are at risk of permanent vision loss.
Symptoms of Retinal Detachment
Here a some of the symptoms that you should look out for after getting retinal surgery.
- Smaller Peripheral Vision
- Flashes of Light
- More Floaters
- Blurred Vision
- Shadow Over Your Field of Vision
Retinal Detachment Treatment
If you have a fully detached retina, then you will definitely need surgery. There are different types of surgeries which you’re trusted physician can recommend according to your condition.
According to a study by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Retinology and Biomicroscopic Laser Surgery, despite the different types of retinal detachment treatment procedures, the outcomes of these procedures are comparable and are a matter of trend and need.
2. Posterior Capsule Opacity
Posterior capsule opacity (PCO) is one of the prominent types of cataract surgery complications that occur.
You’d be surprised to know that this condition is also known as “secondary cataract” even though cataracts cannot recur once it’s been removed.
When you have your cataracts surgically removed, the surgeon takes out your cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens.
As a result, the thin layer of membrane called the lens capsule is left intact after your natural lens is removed.
Since the artificial lens is implanted within your lens capsule, there is a chance that the posterior part of your capsule becomes blurred or hazy as it heals.
When this happens, there is a chance that your vision becomes worse than it was with your cataracts.
3. Dislocated Intraocular Lenses
Malpositioned intraocular lenses or dislocated intraocular lenses is another type of cataract surgery complications.
This condition occurs when the artificial lens called intraocular lens (IOL) that is implanted in your eye becomes dislocated.
When this happens, there is a chance that you can view the edge of your IOL and you can even suffer from double vision.
Additionally, your visual accuracy may lessen depending on the severity of the IOL dislocation.
How does the IOL fall out of place?
A common practice for cataract surgery is to put the intraocular lens inside your capsular bag.
Which is the bag that previously contains the cloudy lens that’s causing your blurry vision.
Surgeons always make sure to keep the shape and strength of the capsular bag so that your new lenses can be aligned correctly.
However, since the capsular bag is very thin, there is a slight chance that it can break with your new lens on.
As a result, it’s very important that your surgeon perfectly places your new lenses inside the capsular bag to avoid cataract surgery complications.
When your intraocular lens are not correctly positioned, your surgeon will most likely perform another procedure to fix the issue.
In some instances, the IOL your surgeon will stitch the lens in place or use a different type of lens.
4. Endophthalmitis
Eye infection is not a very common cataract surgery complication, but there is still a small possibility of your eyes getting infected.
Endophthalmitis is a particular eye infection that can occur after cataract surgery.
This is usually caused by bacteria such as staph (staphylococcus) and strep (streptococcal). These bacteria live on your skin and can infect your eye after surgery.
Endopthalmitis generally occurs within a week after surgery, which means that the longer you’ve been recovering, the better.
Symptoms of endophthalmitis include eye pain, weak vision, reddening of eyes, swelling, and mucus-like discharges.
Since the symptoms occur within days after surgery, it is important that you get your eyes checked as soon as possible.
You get less vision and eye damage the sooner you get them treated. Normally, doctors either inject antibiotics into your eye or add antibiotics with surgery.
The problem with endophthalmitis is that you still have permanent damage even after treatment.
5. Other Cataract Surgery Complications
Aside from the conditions that were mentioned above, a few more cataract surgery complications are still up in the list.
Some of these problems include Inflammation in the eyes and varying degrees of vision loss, to name a few.
The severe loss of vision is a very rare complication which can occur due to either an infection or bleeding in your eye.
We’ve mentioned cataract surgery complications that occur early, but there are also complications that happen much later.
For example, sometimes it could take months or even years after surgery before a detached retina to appears.
Aside from those major problems, here are a few examples of minor complications after surgery.
However, you won’t have to worry too much about these minor problems. They’ll take some time to heal, but it’s nothing that medications can’t treat.
Swelling cornea
Corneal edema, which is most commonly known as corneal swelling, is a type of irritation in the outward layer of the eye.
Your cornea is a thin layer of transparent tissue that protects your eyes and regulates the amount of light that enters your eye.
This part of your eye also helps with the focusing capabilities of your vision.
Your cornea has cells called endothelium that keeps it moist. The moisture keeps your vision clear and helps maintain the health of your cornea. However, damages to your endothelium can cause fluid to build up in your cornea. As a result, your cornea swells up and impairs your vision.
How is Corneal Swelling Treated?
There are different cures for corneal swelling which your physician will recommend. Here are some of the most common treatments:
- Antibiotics
- Corticosteroids
- Beta-adrenergic blockers
- Hypertonic Solutions
- Bandage Contact Lenses
Swelling Retina
Macular edema, most commonly known as swelling retina, occurs when fluids build up in the macula of your eye.
The macula sits at the center of your retina and is important for your sharp vision. When fluids swell up your macula your vision becomes distorted.
Ocular Hypertension
Ocular hypertension occurs when the pressure of your eye increases beyond normal levels.
When this happens when the facade of your eye can’t discharge fluids properly. As a result, the fluid builds up and causes higher pressure in your eye.
Ptosis
Ptosis is described as having a droopy eyelid. This is very noticeable since the top end of the upper eyelid droops down to an unusually lower position.
Severe ptosis can cause vision problems when your eyelid droops too low and covers most of your pupil.
Ptosis can arise in one or both of your eyes —in this case, this could appear on the eye that received a surgical procedure.
You’ll look very different when you have droopy eyes, but don’t worry because it’ll heal up.
Just make sure to consult your physician and keep your eyes safe from harm.
Conclusion for Cataract Surgery Complications
As safe as cataract surgery may be, it is important to note that you are not immune to post-surgery problems.
In fact, knowing more about cataract surgery complications can help you prepare for the worst possible scenario.
So if your planning to get cataract surgery, make sure you have a reliable and experienced ophthalmologist.
Additionally, make sure you watch out for symptoms of cataract surgery complications.
References:
Trends in primary retinal detachment surgery: results of a Bicenter study.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21242859
Cataracts Statistics & Resources
https://www.lasereyesurgeryhub.co.uk/cataract-statistics
Signs You Might Have Cataracts
A Guide To Retinal Detachment Treatment
How Different Types of Refractive Surgery Corrects Vision
CONTACT LENS CARE: PREVENT EYE INFECTION AS YOU KEEP YOUR CONTACT LENSES CLEAN
PINK EYE: COMMON SYMPTOMS AND SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES THAT YOU CAN TRY TODAY
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