Cataract surgery is a common and successful procedure, with a 99.5% success rate. However, there are still risks associated with the operation and postoperative condition. Immediate complications can include discomfort, bruising and swelling of the eyelids, increased intraocular pressure, and allergic reaction to the steroid or antibiotic in drops. More serious complications can include bleeding, swelling, infection, retinal detachment, and opacification of the posterior capsule.
In some cases, PCO can occur because some of the old cells from the cataract are not removed during surgery. Endophthalmitis is a serious complication of cataract surgery involving microorganisms that enter the eye. Most complications can be successfully treated with medications or additional procedures. Laser treatment is required to permanently eliminate vision loss caused by opacification of the posterior capsule after cataract surgery.
