However, in that 1-2 percent, there is still some risk when it comes to cataract surgery. Even though the procedure is almost always safe, it is important for patients to be aware of what might go wrong.
According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), three million Americans undergo cataract surgery each year, with an overall success rate of 98 percent or higher. Though cataract surgery is highly successful, complications can arise.
Its success rate is about 99 percent. Complications from cataract surgery are rare but may include corneal swelling and/or inflammation in the eyes.
But if there is a problem with the intraocular lens (IOL) used during your procedure or some other type of cataract surgery complication develops, certain aspects of the surgery can be adjusted or redone. This includes repositioning the IOL or removing it and replacing it with a different lens.
Inflammation in the eye can happen after cataract surgery, but it is typically harmless. Any inflammation within the eye following cataract surgery is the body's natural response to having the eye's lens removed. This reaction causes blurry vision, but your eye doctor can prescribe medication to help.
There are reports of an increased incidence of endophthalmitis that may be related to the use of clear corneal incisions. Although the incidence of endophthalmitis is only 0.13%, this remains the most feared complication of cataract surgery with a potential devastating effect.
This type of surgery has a success rate of 98 percent in patients with otherwise healthy eyes. But no surgery is risk free. Although serious complications are not common, when they occur they could result in loss of vision.
When cataract is first identified it may not need surgery, but about 50% of older Australians are likely to develop significant cataract by their seventies[i]. Each year more than 250,000 people undergo cataract surgery[ii] to replace the eye lens with an artificial one.
In most people, cataracts start developing around age 60, and the average age for cataract surgery in the United States is 73.
No, your vision generally doesn't deteriorate after cataract surgery unless other problems arise, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma.
The risk of serious complications developing as a result of cataract surgery is estimated at around 1 in 50 cases. These can include: blurred vision. some loss of vision.
This might all sound serious, but cataract surgery is the most commonly performed elective procedure in Australia, with the average age for surgery being just under 76 years¹, and 90% of cataract operations performed on those aged 60 years and over ².
How successful is cataract surgery? Cataract surgery is successful in improving vision in about 97% of people who have it.
While many people will obtain 20/20 vision from their IOL, 30 to 50 percent of people who choose a monofocal IOL will still require corrective lenses after surgery. Schedule a consultation with an eye doctor near you to see if you qualify for surgery.
Modern cataract surgery has a good success rate and the eye recovers much more quickly. It is still a major operation and you should plan to take things quietly for 1-2 weeks. Always wear sunglasses outdoors. Avoid rubbing or touching the operated eye, dusty environment and gardening for the first 2 weeks.
If the cataract is left untreated until it is very advanced or very dense, this can make surgery more difficult and increase the risk of complications. Generally the outcomes remain very good, but these cataracts ideally should be treated before they become so advanced that the risks of problems in surgery rises.
Within 48 hours, many cataracts patients see significant improvement in their vision. It is possible that your vision could take one to two weeks to adjust and settle. The eye must adapt to the new intraocular lens that has replaced the lens.
What should I do with my old glasses? Are they safe to wear? 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.
The red flags in the weeks after your cataract surgery as you're still recovering, include: Deteriorating sight. Increasing redness or pain of the eye. The appearance of flashing lights or floating specks.
Here are some things that you may want to avoid before and after cataract surgery to ensure that you heal properly. Avoiding eating and drinking before your surgery. Don't wear makeup to the surgery appointment, and avoid wearing makeup until your ophthalmologist allows it so that you can better prevent infection.
While ophthalmologists make careful measurements of the eye and perform precise calculations, they cannot always achieve 20/20 vision without glasses after surgery. The reason is that the surgeon can only estimate where the IOL will fit in the eye after it heals from surgery.
In modern cataract surgery, careful measurements of the eye are performed before surgery so that the correct power artificial lens is inserted into the eye. By matching the right power lens with a person's uniquely shaped eye, cataract surgery in general results in excellent distance vision without glasses.
Although it's never too late to have a cataract removed, it is better to have cataracts removed while they are immature, as this reduces the length of surgery and the recovery time. Earlier removal also means that you avoid the significant visual impairment associated with very mature (hypermature) cataracts.