complications of cataract surgery
Last reviewed 01/2018
These include:
- thickening of the posterior capsule (8%) - the posterior capsule may become opaque and cause a gradual blurring of vision (incidence of approximately 43% at 5 years following extracapsular extraction). This can be treated via making a hole in the capsule with a YAG laser (capsulotomy)
- rupture of the posterior capsule (4%) - is the most common adverse surgical event (1)
- protruding or broken sutures (4%)
- cystoid macular oedema (1%)
- increased intraocular pressure (2)
- refractive surprise - patients who did not require glasses for distance vision become extremely disappointed when they require them after surgery (3)
- in less than 1% of cases:
- endophthalmitis - postoperative intraocular infection develops after about 1 in 750 operations (1). This condition may result in loss of an eye if there is not appropriate management and early referral
- rubeotic glaucoma
- vitreous haemorrhage
- retinal detachment - there is a lifetime risk after cataract surgery of about 1 in 150 operations - there is an increased risk if the eye is myopic pre - operatively
- section requiring re-suturing
- choroidal or suprachoroidal haemorrhage (3)
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