Risks of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is an extremely common operation in the UK. Although very successful in most cases, like any surgery, there are risks. Below are the most common risks of cataract surgery and their likelihood. If you have other eye conditions, these may increase your risk of some or all of these complications and you should always discuss fully the risks and benefits of surgery fully before proceeding.

Intended benefit
The main aim of the operation is to improve the quality of your vision; it may also be of benefit to improve the doctors' view of the back of the eye. The surgeon will try to reduce your dependance on spectacles as much as possible, but you may require distance glasses for best vision and you will probably need reading glasses. In any case, your glasses prescription will change after the operation.

Serious or frequently occurring risks
It is possible for a cataract operation to leave you worse than you are now. One in every 1000 will go blind in that eye as a direct result of the operation. One in 10,000 will lose the eye. There is virtually no risk to the other eye.

Ecchymosis - Bruising of the eye or eyelids (quite common)

Posterior capsule rupture and/or vitreous loss - A split in the thin back wall of the cataract which can allow leakage between the back and front compartments of the eye (1:50)

Post operative glaucoma - Raised pressure in the eye for the first day or so (common). This may require temporary treatment (1:50)

Posterior capsule opacification - Clouding of the membrane behind the implant causing blurred vision (1:100, although this depends on the type of implant)

Cystoid macular oedema - Inflammatory fluid in the centre of the retina. This is commonly mild and needs no treatment. It can be severe and require prolonged treatment (1:500)

Refractive surprise - Unexpectedly large (or different from expected) need for glasses (1:500)

Allergy - To drops given after the operation, causing and itchy swollen eye until the drops are stopped or changed (1:500)

Dropped nucleus - Part or all of the cataract falls through a posterior capsule rupture in the back compartment of the eye, needing another operation to remove it (1:1000)

Suprachoroidal haemorrhage - Bleeding inside the eye which may require the operation to be completed on another day (1:1000)

Corneal decompensation - Clouding of the normally clear front window of the eye (1:1000)

Detached retina - Peeling off the seeing layer of cells inside the eye (1:1000)

Endophthalmitis - Severe (usually painful) infection inside the eye (1:1000)

Dislocation of the implant - movement out of position of the lens implant (1:2000)

Complications are rare and in most cases can be treated effectively. In a small proportion of cases, a further operation may be required. If you decide against cataract surgery, your vision will probably slowly worsen. If you have any further questions about your eye health or possible surgery, please contact us to make and appointment.