Common After-effects of Cataract Surgery and How To Treat Them

Cataract surgery is a reliable approach for restoring eyesight for those with natural lens clouding. Many patients will recover from surgery with no problems, but some may experience a few side effects. Here are the most common side effects and how to handle them:

Light Sensitivity

Slight light sensitivity can occur following cataract surgery because of eye dryness. An ophthalmologist may prescribe steroid drops and suggest wearing sunglasses until any inflammation and dryness subside. Blepharitis and dry eyes can also cause persistent light sensitivity. If you experience extreme light sensitivity, the ophthalmologist will address it following your cataract treatment. 

Nausea 

It’s common to feel nauseous following the surgery because of the anesthetic used for sedation. This feeling will continue for a few days at most. Drinking plenty of water and eating when you reach home can help you feel better. 

Elevated intraocular pressure and ocular hypertension can have similar side effects after surgery. Elevated ocular pressure is common among people with glaucoma. The eye’s pressure may momentarily rise because of special gels used during surgery. Ophthalmologists assess patients’ ocular pressure the day after surgery. They then provide medications or other treatment solutions if necessary. 

Dry Eyes

The surgeon’s incisions to access the lens cause minor cuts to some nerves on the eye surface. One of these nerves is the feedback loop that instructs the eye to generate tears for lubrication. The eye may stop sensing dryness and fail to produce tears until the nerves are repaired. It may take a few months for the nerves to heal and function as usual.

Artificial tears can be helpful for mild dry eyes. Use the tears a few minutes after taking your prescription drops to avoid diluting the medication. Speak with your ophthalmologist about other options if artificial tears aren’t providing enough relief. 

Blurry Vision

Cataract patients often experience blurry vision in the days and even weeks following surgery. The blurriness is mostly due to the natural eye swelling that follows surgery. Inflammation is more likely to occur in patients with larger, denser cataracts. Use anti-inflammatory eye drops provided by the surgeon as instructed. The swelling should reduce quickly and help clear up the blurriness. For patients with corneal illness, it could take up to a month for the swelling to go down. 

If the blurriness does not go away after a week, contact an ophthalmologist. Blurred vision may be caused by posterior capsule opacity, which is treated using a YAG laser capsulotomy. Residual refractive error may be another reason for continuous fuzzy vision, which may cause you to still need to wear glasses for further vision correction.

Scratchy Eyes

Another complaint after surgery is a scratchy feeling as though there is sand in the eye. This feeling comes from the tiny cuts made in the eye. It should go away in a short amount of time as the eye heals. The discomfort might persist for longer if you are dealing with dry eyes. 

Flashes of Light

Some patients notice tiny dots or lines in their field of vision following surgery. These images are shadows of the vitreous gel that fills the eye. They are usually not an issue and will go away by themselves. Consult an ophthalmologist when experiencing extreme flashes of light or floaters in your eye. These symptoms could indicate retinal detachment, which is when the retina moves away from the back of the eye following surgery. 

Glare and Halos

After surgery, unwanted visual images, or dyphotopsia, are common in cataract patients. Positive dysphotopsia is characterized by glares, halos, and light streaks. They tend to happen more frequently with multifocal lenses and more often at night or in low light.  When positive dysphotopsia is the cause of the problem, YAG laser therapy can solve it. The ophthalmologist may suggest using special night drops if the glare and halos continue after ruling out other issues.

Red Eyes

Some patients will have red or bloodshot eyes following surgery because of inflammation or a ruptured blood vessel. The rupture may result in an unsettling red spot on the eye, but it is harmless and goes away on its own. It could take a few weeks before the body reabsorbs the blood, but then the spot will disappear. Consult an ophthalmologist when the redness occurs with pain, light sensitivity, or changes in vision. 

Book Your Cataract Surgery Consultation Today

Surgery is an effective treatment when cataracts begin to lower an individual’s quality of life. Most side effects disappear within a short time, allowing the patient to enjoy improved vision. Schedule an appointment today to discuss any questions concerning cataract surgery.