Ten potential cataract surgery complications

The rates of infection after cataract surgery (currently 1 in 2000) have dramatically reduced over recent years. Due to the routine use of antibiotics injection into the eye at the end of surgery. And additionally, better sterile surgical conditions. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is essential if you are unlucky to develop an infection. Your eye sight can be restored quickly.

A large bleed known as a suprachoroidal haemorrhage can rarely develop during cataract surgery. It is thought to occur in 1 in 10000. The chances of this happening are reduced if your blood pressures are not extremely high.

This is quite uncommon and can occur as a result of surgeon error (only picking the wrong intra-ocular lens). It can occur as a result of inaccurate measurements of the eye before surgery (done to calculate the power of the intraocular lens implant). Thankfully it is possible to change the wrong intra-ocular lens if to get the best result in a minor procedure known as a lens exchange.

This is known as cystoid macular oedema. Thankfully, it subsides in the large majority of people with time or additional anti-inflammatory eye drops.

This is known as corneal decompensation. It is becoming uncommon with better cataract surgical techniques. As well as less energy producing instrumentation used inside the eye at the time of cataract surgery. Some patients are more likely to develop this complication. If they have a co-existent condition of the cornea such as Fuch’s endothelial guttata. There are steps that your surgeon can take to reduce this complication in the susceptible few

This is an uncommon complication where the film at the back of the eye known as the retina can tear and peel away. It usually requires urgent surgical correction. It is more common in patients who have had a previous retinal detachment. Or those who have very thin retinas such as the very short sighted.

This can occur at the time of cataract surgery. Where there is a break in the back of the clear bag that normally holds your new intra-ocular implant. As a result, fragments of cataract can drop to the back of the eye. It can cause inflammation, blurred vision and retinal detachment. The rates of this complication are fairly low. It is around 1 in 100, but the chances are higher in more complex cataract surgical cases. Further surgery and longer recovery times are often needed in patients with this complication.

This can occasionally occur when the coloured part of the iris can ‘escape’. It gets trapped in the small opening made in the cornea after cataract surgery. In the most part does it cause no long term concerns. The usual practice to treat this complication is to undergo a further minor procedure to push it back into the eye. And after that secure the corneal wound with a micro-stitch. Stitches are not routinely used in a cataract surgery as the wound is carefully constructed. It has a valve-like structure which self-seals.

This is an uncommon complication. Where the intra-ocular lens implant is inserted the wrong way around or upside down. One option to correct this is to undergo further minor surgery to turn it the right way around. The other option is to leave it and have a slight alteration in your glasses prescription. This is because the change in power of the intraocular lens is fairly small if it is inserted the wrong way round.