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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications after cataract surgery are uncommon, and most can be treated successfully.

Cataract surgery risks include:

  • Inflammation
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Retinal detachment
  • Glaucoma
  • Second cataract

Your risk of complications is greater if you have another eye disease or a serious medical condition affecting any part of your body. Occasionally, cataract surgery fails to improve vision because of underlying eye damage from conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. It's important to evaluate and treat such eye problems, if possible, before making the decision to proceed with cataract surgery.

MY00164

May 16, 2008

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