Cataracts cause vision to decrease over time and can be addressed with surgery to remove the cloudy lens. Although the procedure is relatively minor and safe, surgery should only be considered when a cataract impairs work or leisure activities.

An intraocular lens (IOL), placed by your surgeon, will improve your vision by directing light onto your retina. Once implanted, this permanent part of your eye cannot be seen or felt and becomes part of its natural functioning.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is an urgent eye emergency in which the retina detaches from its surrounding tissue and threatens blindness if not repaired in time. The retina contains light sensitive cells known as photoreceptors that convert light rays into neural impulses that communicate with both optic nerves and brain, enabling visual processing. If these cells become detached from their supportive tissue, they no longer receive the nourishment they require and may experience permanent damage within just days. Retinal detachment can result from numerous factors, including holes or tears in the retina or leakage of vitreous fluid into the space between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and RPE cells. Other potential causes may include inflammation or tumor nearby or injury to the eye itself.

Retinal detachment symptoms include flashes of bright light, flashers (black flecks or strings that move across vision), shadows or curtains appearing at any point within peripheral visual fields and flashes of bright light in flashes of bright light. It is crucial that people recognize these symptoms immediately should they occur and visit an eye doctor immediately in case a detached retina needs emergency surgery to avoid serious loss of vision.

Retinal detachment usually follows from retinal tear or hole, whether in the macula or outer portion of retina. Holes and tears more likely to lead to detachment are those in the inner region as vitreous fluid is more dense here. Small holes or tears in macula areas may be treated successfully using laser surgery or cryopexy for local anesthesia, although stay in hospital may be required for observation purposes for two or three days post procedure.

Rhegmatogenous detachments are more likely to occur among high myopic individuals, those with previous retinal tears and those who have experienced eye trauma. Educating at-risk patients on the nature and significance of retinal detachment symptoms could reduce incidence rates significantly; over 85% of detached retinas can usually be successfully reattached if detected and diagnosed early enough.

Swelling

Cataract surgery is a proven and successful solution to improve vision. While complications are rare, it’s essential that patients be informed of any potential issues and how these can be managed post-surgery.

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that causes blurry vision, similar to how camera lenses focus light as it travels from behind it towards its retina at the back. Over time, proteins within this lens break down, clouding over over time until vision can become unclear at any distance.

Phacoemulsification is the primary method for cataract removal. This procedure requires making a small incision in the cornea and inserting a probe that sends ultrasonic waves through it, breaking it up before being suctioned out and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that allows light through for clear vision restoration. When selecting a surgeon to perform this procedure, make sure he/she has experience.

One complication of cataract surgery is that the cornea may swell after removal due to preexisting conditions or advanced cataracts, potentially resulting in blurry vision and discomfort that can only be alleviated with medications or laser therapy. Although rarely serious, this complication must still be managed appropriately with medical advice or laser therapy treatments.

An infection is another potential risk, occurring in less than 0.5 percent of cases and leading to symptoms such as pain, redness, tearing or drainage of the eye and pressure in your vision. If this happens to you it’s essential that you contact a physician immediately so he or she can evaluate your condition and prescribe the necessary care.

If an infection goes untreated quickly, it can spread to the retina and lead to retinal detachment, potentially threatening permanent vision loss. Although no definitive cure exists for macular degeneration, treatments like photodynamic therapy (which uses laser technology for painless outpatient laser treatments that seal leaky blood vessels in retina) may help slow its progress and may offer some respite from its progression.

Bleeding

There is no medication, eyedrops, exercises or diet that can completely reverse cataracts or stop their progression. Surgery may help slow vision decline caused by cataracts; surgical removal should be considered when loss of vision begins to interfere with work, leisure activities or daily living activities.

During an IOL procedure, your natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one called an intraocular lens (IOL). Most commonly issued through Medicare/Insurance are monofocal IOLs designed to improve near, intermediate and distant object sight while not correcting vision distorting astigmatism.

While surgery itself is generally safe, some complications may arise which include:

Bleeding – Bleeding may occur for no apparent reason after surgery, which could pose both minor and serious risks, including an increase in eye pressure or impaired vision. If bleeding does occur, treatment options should be sought immediately to address its source as it could potentially raise eye pressure levels significantly and lower vision significantly.

Retinal Tear or Detachment – Though rare among patients having cataract surgery, retinal tears and detachments are possible and need to be evaluated by a retinal specialist as soon as possible after experiencing any discomfort after their procedure. They will use laser or surgery treatments to address this condition if it arises.

Drooping of the Lid – While uncommon, this condition may occur as a result of having a lid speculum placed into your eye during treatment or being given injection anesthesia. Surgery or prism glasses may help address it.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Symptoms – If you notice flashes of light or showers of dark spots, these could be symptoms of age-related macular degeneration. Should they worsen and affect daily activities, however, it’s essential that they contact an optician or doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

Maintaining regular visits to an eye doctor is the best way to detect macular degeneration early, when treatment may reduce its progression. Your physician can use diagnostic techniques like angiography or optical coherence tomography (OCT) to look for signs of fluid or blood under your macula and detect if macular degeneration has advanced further.

Complications

Cataract surgery has advanced greatly over time, and complications are relatively infrequent. Like any surgical procedure, there may be risks, however these usually can be resolved through medication or further procedures and do not have lasting repercussions for vision.

Infection – Microorganisms may enter your eye following cataract surgery and cause pain, discomfort, light sensitivity, redness, itching and blurred vision. If the infection becomes severe enough, hospitalization may be necessary for further treatment.

Wound Leaks – On occasion, wounds in the back of your eye can rupture due to inflammation or an issue with its incision itself. Treating these issues will restore normal pressure in your eye and improve vision.

Zonular Disruption – Zonular disruption can result from surgery-related trauma or certain ophthalmic conditions, including pseudoexfoliation syndrome and Marfan’s syndrome, when the zonular structures that support your lens become dislocated; should this happen to you, your surgeon will need to replace the lens during another surgery procedure.

Macular Edema – Macular edema is a potentially serious complication that occurs at the center of the macula and may lead to permanent blindness if left untreated immediately. Cataract surgery and certain eye diseases often increase one’s risk.

If you have macular degeneration, cataract surgery should be discussed with your physician to help decide whether it is suitable. They will assist with weighing the risks against potential benefits to determine whether surgery should go forward. If healthy enough to undergo the procedure, cataract surgery can significantly enhance quality of life if macular degeneration causes current issues; otherwise it might not always be necessary. But if vision loss prevents driving, reading, or watching video screens without visual loss then cataract surgery could be your solution.