Cataract Surgery Side Effects? 5 Things a Surgeon with 30,000 Cases Wants You to Know
Cataract Surgery Side Effects?
5 Things a Surgeon with 30,000 Cases Wants You to Know
Since the content of the following text and video are the same,
those who prefer video can watch it instead.
I am Kim Sun-young, an ophthalmologist with 17 years of experience, running the YouTube channel 'Ophthalmology Sister.'
I have performed over 20,000 cataract surgeries, and I personally performed cataract surgery on both of my parents.
Based on this experience, today I want to talk about 5 cataract surgery side effects that are common but surprisingly not well-known.
Cataract Surgery Side Effect #1: Dry Eye Syndrome (a stabbing sensation)
"The artificial lens keeps stabbing my eye."
"My eyes hurt so much and it's so uncomfortable... I feel like I shouldn't have had the surgery.quot;
Many people say this.
This symptom is a typical dry eye phenomenon.
In fact, it is reported that as many as 42% of people experience dry eye after cataract surgery.
So why does this symptom appear?
Cataract surgery involves making a small incision of only about 2mm in the cornea.
In this process, the corneal nerves are cut, and the signal to 'produce more tears' is not properly transmitted.
Also, the strong disinfectants and anesthetics used during surgery cause the fine hairs on the surface of the cornea to peel off,
resulting in a condition where tears cannot stay for long.
In addition, even after surgery, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics must be administered,
but because they contain a strong corneal toxin called 'benzalkonium chloride,' they continue to remove the microvilli.
Usually, by the first month, the anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are discontinued,
and after a month after stopping, many people experience a stinging sensation in their eyes.
Therefore, it is important to consistently use the tear drops or dry eye treatments prescribed by the ophthalmologist!
In addition, there are various dry eye treatments being performed at ophthalmology clinics,
and typically, receiving 'punctal occlusion' can be helpful.
(However, many hospitals may not do this!)
Cataract Surgery Side Effect #2: Drooping Eyelid (Ptosis)
This is a side effect that can occur in up to 21% of cases after surgery,
but I don't think I've ever seen ophthalmologists mention it during consultations.
When we perform surgery, we open the eyelids wide.
Usually, in patients in their 60s to 80s with weak eyelid strength,
opening them too wide or straining to close the eyes can damage the eyelid muscles.
This can cause one eyelid to droop after surgery.
Most of the time, it gradually recovers over time, but some patients do not improve completely.
This is unavoidable, so when I perform surgery on elderly patients,
I try to open their eyelids as little as possible.
If you are considering surgery because of drooping eyelids,
I recommend getting cataract surgery first.
Cataract Surgery Side Effect #3: Common but Rare 'Outer Glare'
Glare after surgery is not that uncommon.
When using diffractive lenses such as 'Synergy' or 'PanOptix,'
things nearby are seen very well, but there is a possibility of glare.
However, this glare appears as an overall blurring of light,
or as car lights blurring in the dark.
If this is not the case, and you experience glare with abnormal symptoms such as 'the outside looking dark'
or 'looking sparkly,'
it could be an unusual type of glare.
This symptom appears in about 15% of all patients,
but fortunately, most symptoms subside after about 3 months after surgery,
so you don't have to worry too much.
Cataract Surgery Side Effect #4: The Sensation of Something Floating (Floaters)
Floaters occur more often than you think after cataract surgery,
but this is often overlooked with a simple explanation that "something may float around after surgery."
Patients actually experience this a lot.
Fortunately, most of them disappear on their own after about 3 to 6 months,
so we often skip explaining it.
(You don't have to worry too much!)
Cataract Surgery Side Effect #5: Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO)
You probably know that cataract surgery involves removing the lens and inserting an artificial lens, right?
At this time, the lens capsule attaches to the front and back of the lens.
The attached capsule gradually becomes cloudy,
sometimes causing blurred vision.
But you don't have to worry too much.
The clouded area can be easily treated with a laser in 1 minute,
and once you receive it, it won't happen again for life,
so you don't have to worry too much.
Johnson & Johnson, the #1 cataract lens company in the United States, visited our ophthalmology clinic in person.
If you are reading this and would like to receive a brief consultation from me,
I recommend reading at least 2-3 more blog posts rather than contacting me immediately.
Just as a clap requires two hands to make a sound,
if you trust me enough and visit,
I can also do my best to provide detailed consultation.
The following articles were written by me,
so please read them before making a reservation.
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This post was written in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Law for the purpose of providing medical information.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/wpsjtltmals7/224055251908
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