What Are Some Of The Complications That May Result From Cataract Surgery, And Are There Any Signs/Symptoms?

Aug. 24, 2009— -- Question: What are some of the complications that may result from cataract surgery, and are there any signs/symptoms of complications that I should be looking for? (When should I contact the doctor?)

Answer: Complications from cataract surgery are really quite rare. The operation is felt to be better than 95 percent successful, but any patient considering surgery needs to know that there is a rare but possible risk of things such as infection, bleeding, glaucoma, retinal detachment, clouding of the cornea, and accumulation of fluid in the center of the retina known as the macula. Occasionally it's not possible to remove the entire cataracts; some fragments can remain in the eye. Occasionally there can be difficulties with the power of the lens that is inserted.

But typically if a person is having pain, worsening vision, severe pressure or redness in and around the eye, these would be warning signs that things may not be going well, and at the earliest sign of any such symptom patients should notify their doctor.