Cataracts are a common condition that cause the natural lens of the eye to become cloudy. They typically develop slowly over the years and often affect people in their 60s and 70s.
Cataract surgery, including multifocal lens cataract surgery, removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial one, restoring clear vision. However, about one-third of people who undergo the procedure develop blurry vision again months or years later.
If you’re preparing for cataract surgery, it’s normal to wonder if this could happen to you. Dr. Anand Bhatt and our team at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma in Santa Ana, California, regularly counsel patients on cataract surgery preparation and aftercare.
This article explains whether cataracts can return after surgery, why a small percentage of people develop blurry vision again, and what to do if it happens to you.
Cataracts form when proteins inside your eye’s natural lens break down and clump together. Over time, this causes a film to form that can affect how light enters your eye and results in cloudy vision.
Cataract surgery replaces this clouded lens with a clear, artificial one, and because cataracts can only form from natural lens proteins, they can’t return. As a result, many patients experience improved vision after surgery and a better quality of life.
Despite most people seeing positive results, about one-third of those who undergo cataract surgery develop posterior capsular opacification (PCO), or secondary cataracts.
Because part of your lens capsule is left in place during surgery to support the artificial lens, cells may build up inside it afterward and create a film. This film can blur your vision and cause other symptoms, including:
These issues can closely resemble cataracts, but what causes them is entirely different.
To be clear, not everyone who undergoes cataract surgery develops PCO. Many people go years or even decades without experiencing any issues.
If you notice your vision becoming blurry again, don’t panic. Thanks to modern treatments, PCO is relatively easy to manage.
Don’t wait to contact us if you notice vision changes after cataract surgery. Following an eye exam and diagnostic imaging, we can determine if you have secondary cataracts and treat them.
The most common treatment for secondary cataracts or PCO is YAG laser capsulotomy.
During this quick, outpatient procedure, we numb your eye with special eyedrops and then use a yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser to make a small opening in the capsule that holds your artificial lens.
The laser breaks up the membrane behind your artificial lens, making it easier for light to enter your eye and pass through to the retina. The treatment is very effective. In fact, research shows that about 99% of people report improved eyesight.
If you’ve previously undergone cataract surgery but are experiencing symptoms such as blurry or clouded vision, secondary cataracts could be to blame. Thankfully, you don’t have to accept it.
To learn more about YAG laser capsulotomy, schedule a consultation today by calling our office at 714-541-4185 or using the online booking feature.
