Inside the eye sits a lens that refracts light onto the retina, and the retina passes on the light, which turns into the visual images we see. Over time, the lens in the eye gradually turns thick and yellow, resulting in blurry, discolored vision. Cataract surgery removes the natural lens and replaces it with a new, clear lens. Though most people do not have serious complications from the surgery, a person should know the possible risks before proceeding.
Corneal Edema
The cornea is the front, clear window of the eye, and after cataract surgery, the cornea may swell, a condition called corneal edema. The edema will cause the cornea to turn cloudy and distort vision. Some people may look in the mirror and notice patchy white clouds on the eye’s surface. After cataract surgery, the corneal edema may occur rather suddenly, and a person will notice a dramatic change in vision, states the University of Washington Eye Institute. If a patient has sudden or gradually worsening vision changes, the person must contact the eye surgeon immediately. The doctor will usually prescribe an additional eyedrop, and the edema will resolve without permanent damage.
Endophthalmitis
Eye surgeons take care to ensure infections do not occur. They perform the surgery in a sterile operating room and use sterile instruments. In addition, most surgeons will prescribe an antibiotic eyedrop to help prevent an infection before it occurs. However, even with these precautions, some people develop a condition called endophthalmitis, which is an infection inside the eye.
Symptoms often include decreased vision and pain, reports the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Pain often occurs deep in the eye, much like the dull throb of a toothache. If these symptoms or other changes occur, you should contact the eye surgeon immediately. The doctor will often prescribe additional medications and may elect to inject a medication in the eye to help treat the infection.
Cloudy Capsule
During cataract surgery, the doctor removes the natural lens from a “capsule” that helps the lens stay in place. Once removed, the doctor inserts the replacement lens into the same capsule that held the natural lens. At varying points after cataract surgery, the capsule may turn cloudy. The symptoms mimic the cloudiness of a cataract.
Doctors treat the cloudy capsule differently than they do a cataract. They use a laser to clear away the cloudy areas of the capsule, according to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The procedure takes a few minutes and only requires simple eye dilation. Once the doctor performs the laser procedure, the cloudiness from the capsule will not return, adds the foundation.
