Complications after cataract surgery

**cataract or cataract** In this article, we are going to know what cataract is and how it is treated, and we will also talk about complications after cataract surgery. Stay with us until the end. Cataract is one of the most common eye diseases that is usually directly related to aging. Cataracts caused by aging develop gradually over several years. However, cataracts do not occur only with age, and may also occur in young people due to diseases such as diabetes or the use of drugs such as corticosteroids, or as a result of an eye injury known as traumatic cataract. Cataracts in diabetics and young people usually occur more quickly and reduce vision within a few months. For this reason, the rate of progression of cataract disease is unpredictable and varies from person to person. Also, the speed of progress in the two eyes may also be different. This means that if one of your family members develops cataracts at the age of 50, it is not necessary that another member of the family will also develop this disease at the same age. When the lens of the eye goes out of its natural and clear state and becomes cloudy, it is called a cataract. In these people, the vision is as if they are looking through a window into a foggy space. In order to check and determine whether a person has cataracts or not, it is necessary to see a doctor by observing symptoms such as decreased vision and blurred vision. The doctor will tell you the approximate and suitable time to perform the surgery with periodic examinations and observation of your lens with a slit lamp. **cataract treatment** Cataracts do not always require surgery. Sometimes the patient may not notice any change in his vision. In some patients with cataracts, it is possible to provide relatively good vision by using glasses or making the environment brighter. But with the progression of cataracts, the patient's vision becomes blurry. Additional symptoms such as diplopia, inability to read and work with computers, inability to drive at night occur. Sometimes, even if there is no discomfort, the doctor will recommend surgery for you. When the cataract is large enough to increase the pressure in the eye, you need to undergo surgery. At present, the FICO method is one of the newest methods of cataract surgery. If it is performed by an experienced and proficient surgeon, it is one of the most successful surgical procedures in which complications are very rare and common complications can be treated most of the time and do not have a long-term effect on vision. Cataract surgical treatment has a success rate of nearly 98% or more, but we want to talk about the risks that may occur to the eye after cataract surgery. ### **Complications after cataract surgery** **1-Infection or endophthalmitis** Infection is one of the rare complications of eye surgery, which may occur with a probability of about one in ten thousand. Its initial symptoms may be reduced vision in the affected eye, redness of the eye, pain or swelling of the eyelid, as well as purulent secretions. If the eye becomes severely infected, an injection of antibiotics into the vitreous or sometimes even re-surgery is needed to control the infection. **2- Eye inflammation** The eye may be red and swollen after surgery. This inflammation is caused by the surgical procedure and is normal. It will usually resolve after a short period of time. But if the eye inflammation remains long-term, eye drops or other medications may be prescribed to resolve it. **3- Blurred vision** Blurred vision is one of the most common complaints of patients after cataract surgery. There are many causes such as eye inflammation, corneal edema, refractive errors remaining after surgery, dry eyes, etc. This problem will improve after a short time. But if it continues for a long time, you should see an eye doctor to check the cause. **4- Edema or swelling of the cornea** Today, this complication is very rare despite the new cataract surgery methods. But if this complication occurs, it can be controlled with drug therapy. In rare cases, in the cornea of ​​patients who had problems before the operation, they may experience irreversible edema after the cataract operation and there is a need for a corneal transplant. **Read more:** **Recovery period and care after cataract surgery** ### **Other complications after cataract surgery** **5-sensitivity to light** Sensitivity to light after cataract surgery is normal and is due to the passage of all light from the replaced artificial clear lens to the surface of the retina. This problem will be solved by using sunglasses after the operation and it will not last long. Prolonged sensitivity to light may be a sign of an underlying problem, such as eye inflammation, and should be investigated. **6-increased intraocular pressure or IOP** Sometimes cataract surgery may lead to increased eye pressure. This disease is called high intraocular pressure, which is one of the most common complications after cataract surgery. Normally, if the eye pressure is too high, it can be controlled with drops and medicine, and in some cases surgery is needed. **7- moving the intraocular lens** Sometimes the intraocular lens, which is an artificial lens that replaces the cloudy lens in the eye, may dislodge and cause blurring or double vision. In severe cases, this displacement may be associated with bleeding and swelling or detachment of the retina. In this case, surgery may be required to reposition the lens or insert a new lens. #### **Read more:** **Lens replacement after cataract surgery** **8-Bleeding** In most cases, bleeding does not occur after surgery, but it is possible that blood vessels in the retina begin to bleed for no apparent reason. If the bleeding is light, it will stop soon. But if there is a lot of blood in the eye, it may lead to reduced vision. By taking drops and resting after some time, the bleeding is controlled and absorbed, but in some cases, surgery is needed to remove the bleeding. **9- Eyelid drooping or ptosis** It is a position in which the upper eyelid falls over the eye. This complication is usually resolved in a short period of time. **10-Opening of the cornea surgical incision** Sometimes after surgery, the corneal surgical incision opens due to trauma or insufficient repair or increased intraocular pressure. In this case, there is a possibility that the intraocular fluid will leak or the iris will be out of place and pulled out from the wound next to the cornea. In these cases, drug treatment and contact lenses are needed, and in some cases, stitches are needed. #### **Other complications after cataract surgery** **11-retinal and vitreous separation** It is possible that after cataract surgery, the retina will move out of its original position. This case is referred to as retinal detachment, which is considered an emergency and should be referred to an ophthalmologist immediately. If this complication is treated as soon as possible, the possibility of complete recovery of the patient increases. **12-Toxic anterior segment syndrome or TASS** TASS is a very rare complication that results in damage to eye tissues. The symptoms of corneal swelling or inflammation of the anterior segment can be very severe, but accompanied by minimal pain. The most common complaint that patients have from TASS is blurred vision. **13-Swelling of the central part of the retina (macular)** In 1-2% of cases, the macula may swell in the first 1-4 weeks after cataract surgery. It is treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops in 2-3 months. **14- Rupture of the lens capsule** When the cataract is removed, the integrity of the lens capsule must be preserved. But this capsule is very thin and its thickness is about a few microns and sometimes it may break. Rupture of the capsule leads to longer operation time and changing the location of the lens and maybe even changing the type of lens. In some cases, even the placement of the lens may be postponed to another time. Most people with capsular tears will still achieve the same desired visual outcome, but recovery will take a little longer. **Read more:** **Cataract treatment** #### **Other complications after cataract surgery** **15-Posterior capsule opacity (PCO)** The main complication after cataract surgery is the opacity of the posterior lens capsule. Sometimes, after surgery, the lens capsule becomes cloudy, which causes a decrease in vision. This complication can occur anytime in the first year or years after surgery. In these cases, the posterior capsule is removed using a laser on an outpatient basis and the blurred vision is corrected. **16- Increased dry eye or chronic pain after surgery** Dry eyes may worsen in a few months after the operation. The patient experiences symptoms such as foreign body sensation, burning, eye fatigue and variable vision. Also, in some patients who have dry eyes and are especially anxious and depressed, they may experience chronic pain at the site of corneal surgical incisions. These symptoms are resolved with drug treatment. All the complications mentioned are seen in very few cases. As mentioned above, in modern surgical methods, the probability of success of cataract surgery is above 98%. If you choose the right and experienced surgeon and follow the requirements after the operation and basic care, as well as full and timely periodical examinations after the surgery, there is no need to worry about complications after cataract surgery.