LASIK Eye Center of Silicon Valley - Dr. Gary Kawesch

Cataract surgery removes a cloudy eye lens and replaces it with an artificial, implantable contact lens (ICL). Cataract surgery is one of the most common eye surgeries today and has a success rate of more than 90 percent, according to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Even with the procedure's safety record, a patient undergoing cataract surgery must be informed and aware of the associated risks, including:
• Intraocular infection
• Inflammation
• Bleeding
• Swelling

Other complications that may develop in the months following cataract surgery include:

• Retinal detachment: This complication is caused by the movement of fluid in your eye, which can lead to a fine tear in the retina after cataract surgery. Fluid begins to build up, separating the retina from the back of the eye. A common symptom of retinal detachment is a curtain or shadow obstructing part of your vision. There are several procedures used to correct this complication.

• Posterior capsule opacity (PCO): When an ICL is placed, it is placed inside the capsule that formerly encased your natural eye lens. Known as a "secondary cataract," PCO arises when epithelial cells grow on the capsule, resulting in cloudy vision. PCO is most often quickly and easily corrected with laser treatment.

Experienced cataract surgeons prevent complications by carefully screening cataract surgery candidates and taking other precautionary steps during surgery.

If you live in the Santa Clara, California, area and would like to learn more about cataract eye surgery, please contact the experienced eye surgeons at the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley to schedule a consultation.