Answers About Cataract Surgery Problems
Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s lens and interfere with vision. They usually develop with age, about half of all Americans will have cataracts by age 80. They do not spread from eye to eye, though it is common to have cataracts in both eyes. They do not grow back once they are removed, once they’re gone they’re gone. Cataracts are removed by surgery that is generally safe and effective, but with any type of surgery there is always the risk of complication. The most common cataract surgery problem is posterior capsule opacity (PCO). This article is going to discuss what posterior capsule opacity is, why its the most common complication, how it’s treated and what risks are involved in it’s treatment.
Posterior capsule opacity is a hazy membrane behind the intraocular lens that was placed at the time of surgery. It is sometimes referred to as a secondary cataract, which is incorrect because, as stated above, once the cataract is removed it doesn’t grow back.
Aproximately 20% of patients will develop haziness and blurriness of vision after surgery. This is due to the epithelial cells which remained on the capsule growing over it. Sometimes the condition can develop to the point where vision is worse that it was before surgery.
Fortunately the condition can be treated easily and painlessly with a YAG laser. The procedure is known as a YAG laser capsulotomy and can usually be performed in the office. The laser is used to remove the hazy posterior capsule from the line of sight without making an incision in the eye itself.
The procedure takes only a few minutes and the patient should see improvement immediately. You shouldn’t have any postoperative discomfort, but may have “floaters” for a few weeks that should resolve spontaneously.
There is a slight increased risk of complication with YAG capsulotomy. The biggest complication is the possbility of retinal detachment. The incidence of retinal detachment following cataract surgery is 1%, it rises to 2% with YAG capsulotomy. All in all, a very safe procedure.
Cataracts are something most of us will experience in our lives, either first hand or through a loved one. They are easily treated with surgery. As with all types of surgeries, there are potential risks for cataract surgery problems to occur. Posterior ocular opacity is the most common one and fortunately is easy to treat with YAG laser capsulotomy to restore clarity of vision.
