Complications During Cataract Surgery

It is not usual to outline every possible side effect or rare complication with cataract surgery but it is important that you have enough information about possible complications to fully weigh up the benefits, risks and limitations of surgery. If your fellow eye is blind or has very poor vision you must carefully weigh the benefits versus the risks of cataract surgery in your ‘better eye’.

There is a small risk of complications during cataract surgery. Serious complications following cataract surgery are uncommon but complications can occur early or late following cataract surgery.

Often, these complications occur not because of anything you have or have not done. If at any point, you are concerned that you may have developed a complication following cataract surgery it is better to be safe, and be in contact so I can examine your eye.

COMPLICATIONS DURING CATARACT SURGERY

Complications during cataract surgery are uncommon and most complications can be treated, although sightthreatening 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