Can Cataracts Come Back After Surgery? What to Know

According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of the older adults above 80 living in the United States have cataracts or have undergone surgery to get rid of them. Cataracts affect your vision over time, making it less colorful, hazy, or blurry.

A common question among seniors in Findlay, Ohio, with vision changes is, "Can cataracts come back after surgery?". Cataract surgery involves removing the natural cloudy lens in the affected eye and replacing it with an artificial optical.

This article teaches us more about whether cataracts can recur after surgery.

Aging and Eyesight: What Are Cataracts?

These are a regular part of the aging process. Cataracts appear when the natural lens of the eye starts to cloud. The lens bends typically and refracts light, which helps us see clearly.

However, seniors with cataracts experience vision changes since the cloudy lens makes it difficult for light to enter. Some common cataract symptoms include the following:

Dim, blurred, or clouded vision
Yellowing or fading of colors
Sensitivity to glare and light
Seeing halos around bright light
Difficulty seeing at night
Needing brighter light for activities like reading
Regular changes in contact lens or eyeglass prescription
Double vision, usually on one eye

If you've not had cataracts before, there are ways you can prevent them. These include:

Eating healthy foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, and leafy greens
Avoiding smoking
Wearing protective eyewear when playing certain sports or using power tools
Donning a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays

Can Cataracts Come Back After Surgery?

No, once cataracts are removed during surgery, they can't come back. Cataract surgery is the most common and safest procedure for cataract removal. During the surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged lens from the eye and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens.

The new lens can't grow cataracts. However, the lens capsule may be cloudy after the surgery, leading to symptoms similar to cataracts, such as blurry vision. These symptoms may linger for years or months after cataract surgery.

What Causes Blurry Vision After Cataract Surgery?

It's not uncommon to experience blurry vision after having a cataract-removal surgery. Various factors come into play. These factors include the following:

Dry Eyes

Having dry eyes after cataract surgery can affect senior eye health and cause blurred vision. Cataract surgery can cause dry eyes due to:

Less production of tears and lubrication as a result of the surgical incision
Interfering with the tear film during surgery
Using antibiotic-steroid eye drops for an extended period before and after the surgery

If you experience severe dry eye syndrome after a cataract surgery, you should visit a doctor for proper treatment to eliminate blurred vision.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a healthy response to the removal of the eye lens. However, it can lead to discomfort and vision changes among older adults in Taylor Place Assisted Living in Findlay, OH.

As you recover from the surgery, inflammation subsides, and you can expect full recovery within days. If this doesn't happen, you should consult your doctor for medication to assist in the healing process.

Posterior Capsular Opacification

Posterior capsular opacification (PCO), also called secondary cataract, is an opaque film that develops above the membrane that protects your new lens. This opaque film causes opaque or blurry vision and other symptoms similar to cataracts.

If you're an older adult in a senior living community in Findlay, OH, and experience PCO symptoms, you should contact your ophthalmologist for treatment. Secondary cataract treatment involves a painless and quick procedure referred to as YAG laser capsulotomy. This procedure takes around five minutes and occurs in an eye doctor's office.

Vision goes back to normal after the posterior capsulotomy surgery. However, you'll have to wait a couple of days before you can resume normal day-to-day activities. You can use eye drop medication as your doctor prescribes after the procedure.

Cystoid Macular Edema

The macular or central retina can swell after cataract surgery, causing distorted and blurred vision. This is a condition referred to as cystoid macular edema (CME). According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, CME affects one to two percent of patients after cataract surgery.

CME can also lead to swelling that appears six to eight weeks following the surgery. Treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Retinal Detachment

This rare eye complication happens when the retina breaks away from the eye, leading to shadowy, blurred, and obstructed vision. Seniors with retinal detachment may also experience floating objects or flashes of light in their field of vision.

If left untreated, this condition can cause permanent vision loss. So, it's necessary to seek medical attention immediately to recognize changes in your senior eye health after a cataract surgery.

Other symptoms to look out for after a cataract surgery include:

Eye discharge
Excessive pain that doesn't get better after taking over-the-counter painkillers
A sudden loss or decrease in vision
Increased swelling or redness of the eye

Recovery Process After Cataract Surgery

You may experience blurry vision immediately after cataract surgery; however, this should resolve within days. It's common to notice colors appearing brighter as cataracts make colors dull. You should follow the doctor's instructions to speed up the healing process after cataract surgery.

These include the following:

Avoid pushing or rubbing your eye
Use medications and eyedrops as recommended
Avoid swimming for around four to six weeks
Wear a protective eye shield during the night for the first week after surgery
Steer clear of dust, soap, and makeup, as these may irritate your eye
Ensure you don't bend over at your waist for about one week after cataract surgery
Don't perform any strenuous tasks for the first couple of weeks following the surgery

Get Findlay Aging Support At Taylor Place Assisted Living

Cataracts are common among older adults living in Findlay, OH. Can cataracts come back after surgery? They can't; however, various complications can occur after cataract surgery.

Following the doctor's instructions is essential to ensure improved senior eye health after surgery.

At Taylor Place Assisted Living, we provide extensive amenities, including housekeeping and apartment maintenance, to ensure the residents' convenience and comfort. We also have caring and professional staff that's always close to assist in case any concerns arise.