Cataract Surgery
threatening complications may rarely occur (less than 1 in every 1000) Bleeding: It is relatively common to have a little bleeding (subconjunctival haemorrhage) on the surface of the eye during surgery which may look serious and unsightly but the blood is located superficially under the conjunctiva and is of no clinical consequence. Heavy bleeding inside the eye (suprachoroidal haemorrhage) is a rare but potentially vision-threatening complication due to the accumulation of blood within a potential space within the eye which can cause permanent visual loss. This happens when a large blood vessel ruptures between the layers in the eye, causing a major bleed behind the eye. When there is a suspicion of suprachoroidal haemorrhage, the operation will be stopped immediately and all wounds will be closed. The operation can be resumed at a later date once the haemorrhage has settled. Injury to the iris: Less than 10% of people have an injury to the iris (coloured part of the eye). It may also result in an irregularly shaped pupil. Intra-operative floppy iris syndrome is the number one risk factor for this complication and generally occurs in men who have taken prostate-related drugs such as Tamsulosin. Generally, this complication is harmless but it can cause mild symptoms such as glare in bright sunlight. Damaged capsule (posterior capsule rupture): The capsule is the “bag” which surrounds the lens inside the eye. The capsule is an extremely thin structure, as thin as our hair, flimsy and transparent. In 2 to 3% of cataract surgery the capsule can tear or break. In most cases, the problem can be managed during the surgery itself. Occasionally you will be left without a intraocular lens and it will be put in at a later date, once the eye has settled. Posterior capsule rupture can lead to complications such as infection, glaucoma, persistent inflammation, cystoid macular oedema and retinal detachment which may require a second operation, such as retinal detachment surgery.
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