usually patched on the day of surgery and use of an eye shield at night is often suggested for several days after surgery. Antibiotics are usually administered for a few more days. In all types of surgery, the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens, known as intraocular lens, which stays in the eye permanently.
Complications The risk of retinal detachment is about 0.4% within 5 years, with older studies reporting a substantially higher risk. The incidence is increasing over time and the risk increase lasts for at least 20 years after the procedure. Corneal edema and macular edema are less serious but more common and occur because of persistent swelling at the front of the eye in corneal edema or back of the eye in macular edema. They are normally the result of inflammation following surgery, and in both cases, patients may notice blurred, foggy vision. They normally improve with time and with the application of anti-inflammatory drops. The risk of either occurring is around one in 100. Posterior capsular opacification, also known as after-cataract, is a condition in which months or years after successful cataract surgery, vision deteriorates. This is usually due to thickening of the back or posterior capsule surrounding the implanted lens, so-called
‘posterior lens capsule opacification’. Management involves cutting a small, circular area in the posterior capsule with targeted beams of energy from a laser. The laser can be aimed very accurately. This procedure leaves sufficient capsule to hold the lens in place but removes enough to allow light to pass directly through to the retina. Serious side effects are rare.
How Long Is the Recovery Time After Cataract Surgery? Some patients see very well the day after cataract surgery. Other patients see well a few days after surgery, and still others may need a full month to reach their maximum vision improvement. The First Week after Surgery: During the first week after surgery, it generally is recommended that the patient keep his or her eye covered at all times, either with eyeglasses or an eye shield, to protect it from being bumped or rubbed. A small amount of pressure can easily open the incision, and protecting the eye prevents this. Also, it is recommended that the patient refrain from (a) bending with
the head below the waist, (b) lifting more than 10 pounds, and (c) straining (on the toilet, for example) to the point of holding
one's breath. All of these activities increase the pressure inside the eye and can open the incision. A Few Weeks after Surgery: A few weeks after the surgery, the patient is checked for eyeglasses and given a final prescription. Artificial lenses last for a lifetime, and with newer types of lenses, it is very rare to experience a lens-associated complication. Occasionally, an artificial lens can dislocate (move out of its intended position) and result in blurred vision. This usually occurs as a result of trauma to the eye and the doctor should be contacted immediately.
TECHAGAPPE
JULY-SEPTEMBER 2017
15