A long-term consequence of cataract surgery is posterior capsular opacification (PCO). PCO is the most common complication of cataract surgery. PCO can begin to form at any point following cataract surgery.
Posterior capsule opacity (PCO)
Sometimes blurry vision is caused by PCO, a fairly common complication that can occur weeks, months or (more frequently) years after cataract surgery.
Posterior Capsule Rupture
The posterior capsule can rupture when probed by a surgical instrument at any stage of your cataract surgery. If this happens, tiny fragments of the cataract can drop through the tear or hole in the capsule. These fragments can fall to the back of the eye near the retina.
What Happens if You Bend Over After Cataract Surgery? You should not bend over after cataract surgery for at least 2 weeks. Bending over will place pressure on the eye and this may cause unnecessary complications to your eye. The main complication will be a delay in the healing process.
Patients with a dislocated IOL may experience a decrease or change in vision, diplopia, and/or glare. Additionally, they may report ocular pain or headaches from intermittent angle-closure and/or inflammation. Some patients also report seeing the edge of the IOL.
Depending on the lens and the patient, neuroadaptation may happen sooner, later or not at all. The majority of patients will adapt to multifocal IOLs within six to 12 months, according to Dr. Maloney. But about 10 percent of patients never will adapt.
These side effects usually improve within a few days, but it can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully. If you need new glasses, you will not be able to order them until your eye has completely healed, usually after 6 weeks.
Cataract surgery can be redone, most commonly after a problem occurs with the lens implant from the original procedure. Cataract surgery entails removing the natural lens material and replacing it with an artificial lens implant designed to match the patient's approximate prescription.
If there is progression to pain, decrease in vision, or any discharge from the eye, patients are advised to seek medical attention. A long-term consequence of cataract surgery is posterior capsular opacification (PCO). PCO is the most common complication of cataract surgery.
Sometimes after surgery, blood vessels in the retina leak. As fluid collects in your eye, it blurs your vision. Your doctor will treat it with eye drops, and it could take weeks or months to heal. It usually gets completely better.
The Safety of Cataract Surgery
However, in that 1-2 percent, there is still some risk when it comes to cataract surgery.
You will not harm your eyes by wearing your old glasses. However, you may prefer not wearing them since, in most cases, your vision will have improved after surgery, in particular your distance vision.
Do not bend over or do any strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 2 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, gardening, and dusting for 1 to 2 weeks. Wear sunglasses on bright days for at least 1 year after surgery.
While home, you may be allowed to remove your eye shield, but you should wear it when sleeping for at least a week to prevent eye injury. Full recovery from cataract surgery should be complete in about a month, although it can take up to three months for your eye to be completely healed.
Washing Your Face and Hygiene after Cataract Surgery
You can resume activities such as washing your face the day after surgery, as long as you are careful to not touch the eye. You shouldn't splash water directly on your face and instead, use a washcloth to carefully clean.
Exposure to water can put your eyes at risk of infection or irritation until your eye has healed from surgery. “Give yourself at least one night of sleep before showering, and prevent the stream of water from hitting your eyes directly,” says Eghrari.
The study shows hearing loss and cognitive decline are linked, and maintaining healthy hearing can keep you sharper for longer. Likewise, cataract surgery can slow cognitive decline by 50%, according to a separate study performed by the same team as the hearing study.
The more advanced the lens you have implanted, the more likely it is that your ophthalmologist will recommend eye exercises. This is because after years of using eyeglasses might have made your eyes a little lazy. Exercises can help speed up the eye-brain link for your best vision in the shortest time possible.
Resting completely for about a week. Wearing the eye shield for a couple of weeks while sleeping. Avoiding touching, rubbing, or putting pressure on your eye for a couple of weeks. Avoiding makeup, soap, or dust, as this can irritate the eye.
It is estimated that between 0.05% and 3% of patients who have undergone cataract surgery will suffer from a spontaneous dislocation of the IOL. Some studies show that its incidence is higher 5 years after surgery.
It is generally recommended to avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects for the first 24 hours to a week (prolonged bending) after cataract surgery to reduce the risk of complications.
It's usually considered safe to wash your hair and shower/bathe as normal after you have cataract surgery. However, you should keep your eyes closed and avoid getting any water or shampoo in your eye, and it's advisable to use a mild or baby shampoo.
You will likely notice that you feel exhausted, especially once you get home after having cataract surgery. This is perfectly normal and you shouldn't try to fight it. Sleeping is a vital part of the healing process, but you will need to be careful.