Are There Any Side Effects Associated with Cataract Surgery?

Cataracts are a surprisingly common eye condition that typically afflicts older individuals.  Cataracts are caused by the clouding of the eye lens, which makes it difficult for someone to enjoy clear vision. As we get older, healthy eye tissue begins to break down and clump together, which can cause cloudiness within the lens of the eye.

If you’re suffering from cataracts, you may notice some of these symptoms:

Cloudy vision

Blurred vision

Sensitivity to light

Seeing a halo around lights, especially at night

Double vision

Difficulty with vision at night

While cataracts are often associated with aging, they can also be caused by injury or trauma.  Cataracts can also be congenital, meaning that a baby is born with a cloudy eye lens.  The latter typically occurs when the mother contracts an infection during her pregnancy.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, your ophthalmologist may recommend cataract surgery as a way of protecting your vision.  Cataract surgery involves the removal of the cloudy eye lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.  You may opt for a monofocal lens, which provides clear vision at either a near or far distance, or multifocal lenses, which allows you to see clearly both at near and far distances. 

While cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the United States, it does come with side effects.  Most of these side effects can be managed with the assistance of your ophthalmologist.  Like with any eye surgery, side effects may include:

Pain or discomfort

Swelling

Bleeding

These side effects are extremely rare; however, it’s important to note that another side effect could be retinal detachment, which can occur in a few people.  See your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience excessive eye pain, vision loss, and/or nausea. 

If you need cataract surgery or are concerned about the side effects of cataract surgery, schedule an exam at the Center for Ophthalmology and Laser Surgery (serving the greater Fort Lauderdale, FL and surrounding Florida areas). Dr. Loeffler can help you determine if you need cataract surgery and, if so, how to manage your surgical symptoms. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Loeffler today to learn more about your cataract surgery options. Call (954) 786-5353 today.