Surgery on the eye, like any other surgery, has risks. Some procedures may use lasers, often a less invasive procedure than an incision. When someone requires eye surgery, the doctor discusses the risks related to that particular procedure. The patient should leave the doctor's office feeling informed of any possible complications.
Infection
Infections may occur after an eye surgery. One type of infection, called endophthalmitis, is an infection inside the eye. Endophthalmitis infects approximately 1 in every 1,000 who have an eye procedure involving an incision, says the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Symptoms include decreased vision and pain in the eye that feels much like the deep throb of a toothache. In many cases, signs of this type of infection appear a few days after surgery. Treatment typically includes antibiotic eye drops. Most people with a mild infection have a full recovery. But those with a severe infection may require further treatment and surgery, with varying results, including the possibility of eye removal.
Vision
Many people have certain eye surgeries, such as Lasik, to improve their vision. Though this surgery often has good results, some people may have decreased vision as a complication of the procedure. Lasik surgery requires the surgeon to use a laser to reshape the curve of the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. Before surgery, the surgeon takes measurements that help him direct the laser. If these measurements are incorrect or if the surgeon overcorrects or undercorrects the vision, the patient may still require glasses or contact lenses. Some people may not see as well, even with an eyeglass prescription, reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Other surgeries, such as cataract surgery, may also result in vision loss.
Eye Pressure
Some types of eye surgery, such as retinal detachment surgery, have a risk of increased eye pressure, says MedlinePlus. The eye must maintain a good balance of fluid entering and leaving the eye to prevent a buildup that damages the optic nerve. Slightly high pressures do not have symptoms a patient will notice. Doctors detect the pressure change at the first follow-up appointment, usually a day or two after the procedure. If the patient has increased pressure, the doctor may prescribe eye drops to lower the pressure, and he will continue to recheck these numbers as the eye heals. The pressure usually returns to normal. Left untreated, high eye pressure will cause vision loss. Extremely high eye pressure will cause intense pain in the eye, nausea and vomiting, and these symptoms require immediate medical attention to avoid complete loss of vision in the eye.
