Cataract surgery is a common and safe procedure, but it can come with some side effects and complications. It's important to be aware of the symptoms that are normal and those that are abnormal after cataract surgery. If your blurred vision doesn't improve after a week, it's time to see your eye doctor. Other causes of persistent blurred vision include residual refractive error (the eyes still need additional correction with eyeglasses), dry eye, or opacity of the back capsule (PCO).
Many people report feeling like they have sand in their eye or that their eye itches after surgery. This is a normal sensation caused by the small incision in the eye, and should heal within a week. If you have dry eyes, the discomfort may last up to three months.Sometimes, a stitch or suture is required during cataract surgery. This shouldn't cause any issues, but sometimes the suture needs to be removed after surgery.
Blurred vision can also be caused by PCO, which is a fairly common complication that can occur weeks, months, or (more often) years after cataract surgery. PCO occurs when the lens capsule, the membrane that holds the new intraocular lens in place, becomes blurry or wrinkled and begins to blur the vision. This is due to cells growing in the membrane over time, similar to scar tissue. Dry eyes and blepharitis can also cause sensitivity to light.Extreme sensitivity to light can be a sign of infection and should be addressed immediately by your eye doctor.
It can also cause more serious problems such as bleeding and swelling. You may need surgery to put it back in place or to put a new one. It's rare, but during surgery, the blood vessels that supply the retina may start to bleed for no reason. A little blood isn't a problem, but larger amounts can cause vision loss and even glaucoma.Suprachoroidal hemorrhage is another rare complication of cataract surgery that can occur in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other conditions existing after cataract surgery.
This requires immediate attention to avoid loss of vision. Sometimes, the eye tissue surrounding the intraocular lens (IOL) becomes cloudy and can cause blurred vision. This condition is called a posterior cataract and can develop months or even years after cataract surgery. It can be successfully treated with a YAG laser capsulotomy.High myopia can also increase the risk of retinal detachment after cataract surgery.
This is the most common complication of most cataract surgeries and appears up to 8 weeks after the procedure. Signs of retinal detachment include blurred vision, floaters, flashes of light, and shadows in your peripheral vision.It's important to know when it's worth calling your doctor after cataract surgery. Doctors can take certain steps during cataract surgery to reduce the chance that a person will experience dry eyes after surgery, such as irrigating the eye well. 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.Infections after cataract surgery are rare but require an injection of antibiotics in your eye if you have one.
Recovery from cataract surgery usually lasts a short time and you can resume many of your normal daily activities. Talk to your eye doctor about possible risks to make sure that cataract surgery is right for you.Having dry eyes after cataract surgery is usually temporary, and people can find relief with artificial tears or medications such as cyclosporine.
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