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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
  • Secondary 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 other conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. If possible, it may be beneficial to evaluate and treat such eye problems before making the decision to have cataract surgery.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Cataract in the adult eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/asset.axd?id=821cecfb-85c5-400d-a65f-7a9a727bc163. Accessed April 16, 2010.
  2. Facts about cataract. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp. Accessed April 16, 2010.
  3. Cataract surgery. EyeCare America. http://www.eyecareamerica.org/eyecare/treatment/cataract-surgery/index.cfm. Accessed April 16, 2010.
  4. Cataract surgery. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/x9954.xml. Accessed April 16, 2010.
MY00164 May 15, 2010

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