Cataract surgery is the most common surgery procedure performed in the United States. Because of current surgical techniques, cataract surgery has become one the most effective procedures (with over ninety percent success rate). However as with any eye procedure, cataract surgery also has some significant risks. It is extremely important to ask your doctor to fully explain these risk and whenever possible, display what will happen using a cataract eye model or anatomy chart.

Swelling of the retina is one of the potential cataract surgery risks, although this risk tends to disappear after a few weeks. Clouding of the back of the capsule is also one of the cataract surgery risks. Below are some of the potential cataract surgery risks and complications:

• Astigmatism – astigmatism can develop after the cataract surgery. However this can be treated through corrective lenses and has no effect on the patient’s eyesight.
• Infection – although not typical, this type of surgery risk is still possible. That is because of less than sterile techniques.
• Hemorrhage – While not common, this is sometimes caused by the placement of the incision in the cornea region.
• Swelling of the Cornea – is due to the response of the eye from the surgical instrument that is inserted. Usually not noticed until a few hours post surgery. May cause distorted eyesight.
• Glaucoma – glaucoma development is one of the potential cataract surgery conditions. This is due to some of the fluids used during the surgery which do not pass through the eye’s natural drainage system and causes pressure to increase inside the eyes. Often marked with sharp pain in the eye region or headache. Medication can lower the pressure.
• Retinal Detachment – individuals undergoing cataract surgery increase their risk of developing retinal detachment. Individuals who undergo a laser surgery procedure to cure the opacity of the lens covering after a cataract surgery procedure are at even greater risks of developing retinal detachment.

Patient education with the help of anatomical models can be extremely helpful to understand potential complications. Some of these cataract surgery risks and complications can be treated with further surgery procedures. Unfortunately, these complications may effect your vision even with treatment.

However if you opt not to undergo cataract surgery, the cataract will slowly deteriorate your vision, and its effects can disrupt your abilities on your daily and nightly activities (the vision problems are even greater at night time).

It is exteremely important to fully understand all potential risks of both embarking on cataract eye surgery and electing not to, so ask your doctor to teach you all the details by using a cataract eye model.

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