What Are the Potential Complications of Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is a low-risk, fast and effective procedure that has a high success rate. According to Harvard Medical School, more than 98 percent of patients report no outstanding problems after the procedure. However, there is still a small risk of complications associated with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery dates back to the 18th century and has seen many advances in technology, equipment and infectious disease control since then.

The current goal of cataract surgery is to remove the cataract and replace it with an intraocular lens, which is normally placed in the capsular pouch of the back chamber. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with the operation and postoperative condition. The following are general factors that can increase the likelihood of complications with cataract surgery: discomfort, bruising and swelling of the eyelids, increased intraocular pressure, allergic reaction to the steroid or antibiotic in drops, and suprachoroidal hemorrhage. These complications can range from immediate to late after the procedure. The most common complication of cataract surgery is swelling, which occurs in 1 to 2 percent of all surgeries. This swelling can cause a decrease in vision and can take up to two months to go away.

Topical steroid and nonsteroidal treatments are usually used to treat this condition. Up to half of people who have cataract surgery will experience some increase in eye pressure after the procedure, but pressure levels usually return to normal within 24 hours. People whose vision doesn't improve after cataract surgery often have underlying eye disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye conditions. When complications occur in cataract surgery, most are mild and can be successfully treated with medications or additional procedures. Recovery from cataract surgery usually lasts a short time and you can resume many of your normal daily activities. The potential complications of cataract surgery are few, and cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgical procedures performed today.