Can Cataracts Return After Surgery?
February 13, 2024
Cataracts are a common vision problem, especially in older adults, where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and obstructs light over time. As cataracts progress, they can significantly impact vision and quality of life.
The only treatment that can restore vision affected by cataracts is cataract surgery, where the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens, also known as an IOL.
This procedure is generally safe and effective at restoring vision. However, some people experience cataract symptoms returning months or years later in the same eye that has had cataract surgery.
This can be confusing and concerning for those who thought the surgery was a permanent fix. Keep reading to learn if cataracts can return after cataract surgery!
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. The lens is a clear structure that focuses light onto the retina so your brain can interpret images.
Over time, the lens can become less flexible and develop cloudy patches or become discolored. This is a natural part of the aging process within the eye, but it can significantly affect vision.
Colors may appear muted, vision may be blurry, or you may have patches of obstructed vision. While most cataracts are age-related, they can also occur due to certain health conditions or injuries to the eye.
Do you think you may have cataracts?
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How Are Cataracts Treated?
Glasses, magnifying lenses, and increased lighting can help you manage the symptoms of cataracts up to a point, but the only definitive cure for them is surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States.
It’s safe and effective, and most people have improved vision after cataract surgery. Cataract surgery involves using specialized lasers to remove the clouded lens and replace it with a clear, artificial lens called an Intraocular Implant (IOL).
The cataracts are completely removed from the eye, and the IOL can correct other vision issues to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts.
Is Cataract Surgery Permanent?
Cataracts form inside the natural lens inside your eyes. The artificial lenses aren’t susceptible to the kind of clouding or blurring that natural lenses are.
Once you have replaced the affected lens, there is no risk of true cataracts recurring. There is no way you can possibly develop cataracts in the future once your natural lens is removed.
However, cataract surgery will not eliminate the possibility of developing other types of eye conditions.
What Are Secondary Cataracts?
There is a condition known as posterior capsular opacification (POS) that can produce symptoms similar to cataracts. Sometimes called secondary cataracts, this is a fairly common side effect of cataract surgery.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that PCO occurs in about half of cataract surgery patients within two to five years of cataract surgery. The lens of the eye sits inside a lens capsule, which is a thin membrane that surrounds the lens.
Cataract surgery removes the lens but leaves the capsule in place. The capsule is normally clear, but it can develop cloudy patches due to scar tissue.
This can happen to some people as a result of healing from cataract surgery. The symptoms of POS can show up months or years after your surgery.
The symptoms are similar to cataracts and include:
- Cloudy, blurry, or fuzzy vision.
- Glare or halos around lights.
- New or increasing sensitivity to light
- Difficulty reading
To confirm a diagnosis of secondary cataracts, you will need to see your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.
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How Are Secondary Cataracts Treated?
The good news is that POS is easy to treat. Your eye doctor can use a simple laser procedure to clear up your vision in just a few minutes.
The procedure to treat secondary cataracts is called a YAG laser capsulotomy or posterior capsulotomy. “YAG” is the name of the laser used for the surgery.
The procedure can be done in the office. Your eye doctor will use drops to numb your eyes, then use the laser to remove the scar tissue in the lens capsule.
This hole allows light to pass through your IOL without obstruction so you can see clearly. The posterior capsulotomy only takes around five minutes.
You will need to wait about an hour before you leave the office so your eye doctor can make sure the pressure in your eyes doesn’t increase. Within a day, your vision should improve. You may notice floaters for a week or so.
These are debris left from the procedure, and they will naturally dissipate and go away.
Are you experiencing symptoms of cataracts or secondary cataracts? Schedule a cataract evaluation at the Center For Total Eye Care in Westminster or Eldersburg, MD, today!