The Side Effects of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in the United States. Each year more than a million people over 60 have cataracts removed from their eyes in a relatively simple operation that usually does not take more than an hour to undergo. Fort Worth cataract surgery is done on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can go home the same day and recover where they are most comfortable. Although the recovery is also a relatively simple one as compared to other more invasive surgeries, there are still some side effects all patients should be aware of before making the decision to have cataracts removed.
As with any surgery, the possibility of infection does exist. The most common eye infection to occur is called endophthalmitis, which results in burning, redness and blurred vision. There is also a possibility of bacterial conjunctivitis (most often known as “pink eye”). Your Fort Worth cataract eye surgery doctor will prescribe you antibiotic drops both before and after the surgery prophylactically in order to help prevent infection. You must take them as directed for the best possible outcome.
Swelling is another possible side effect of cataract surgery in Fort Worth. Fluid may build up near the retina and result in inflammation. Usually, this does go away on its own within a few weeks, but if it does not anti-inflammatory eye drops can be prescribed. If those do not work, steroid injections in the eye can also be used, but that only occurs in rare cases.
Other and much more rare side effects may occur years after the surgery is performed. Your vision can become blurry again when the part of the eye lens that was not removed during the initial surgery becomes clouded. A laser technique can be used to resolve this and it is considered to be a safe procedure.
To help avoid these side effects, post op instructions must be followed. Use the dark sunglasses your doctor will give you to protect your eyes from ultraviolet sunrays for several weeks. Also, avoid cosmetic products, as well as hot water and soap around the eye. Although the procedure was a simple and quick one, your eye or eyes still went through a trauma and need to recover correctly. Despite the care you must take after surgery and the side effects that may occur, most people find undergoing cataract surgery was the right decision. Blurry vision becomes clear again and the quality of life that the gift of sight brings is enormously improved.
