Can Cataract Surgery Make Floaters Worse?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and effective treatments for clearing vision. However, even with its benefits, it also has some side effects, and risks of complications.
Floaters are a common side effect of cataract surgery, which often resolve by themselves after a while. But if you already have them, you might be wondering if undergoing cataract surgery can make them worse. This is a valid concern especially because eye surgery is a big deal for many individuals.
In this article, we discuss what cataract and cataract surgery are, their risks and benefits, and how they can affect the presence of floaters.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a common eye condition that affects the vision. It happens when the lens of your eyes becomes opaque or cloudy. Your eye lens, which is located behind the iris (the coloured part of your eye), is normally clear and works to focus light on the retina at the back of your eye.
When you develop cataracts, it’s almost like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. It decreases vision clarity and can make activities like reading, driving, or seeing in low light difficult.
Normally, cataracts develop due to ageing. They can start slowly in one eye, and gradually progress and affect both eyes.
However, it may also be caused by other factors such as health conditions like diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, eye injury, previous eye surgery, use of certain medication, and genetics.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Simply, cataract surgery is a surgical procedure performed to improve vision blurred by cataracts.
During the procedure, the practitioner will carefully remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens.
This surgery is one of the most common and effective for this condition, helping many patients recover their vision. It is done under local anesthesia, and is pretty quick, taking about an hour to perform.
This means you will be awake but won’t feel any pain. It is also performed on an outpatient basis, so you can go home the same day, after the procedure.
Risks and Benefits of Cataract Surgery
Like any similar procedure, cataract surgery comes with its share of risks and benefits. If you are planning to undergo the procedure, it is important that you understand these pros and cons to ensure you make the best decision with realistic expectations.
Benefits of Cataract Surgery
- Improve vision
- You can drive, read, and engage in other activities more easily, improving your overall quality of life
- Reduces the risk of falls and accidents associated with poor eyesight, hence increasing safety
- Better night vision
- Better colour vision
- Boost independence and confidence
- Longlasting results
Risks and Side Effects of Cataract Surgery
- A risk of eye infection (which can be well-managed with preventative antibiotics)
- Inflammation (which quickly resolves with treatment)
- Risk of retinal detachment (rare but can still occur in serious cases)
Can Cataract Surgery Make Floaters Worse?
Cataract surgery can lead to the development of new floaters or make existing ones more noticeable for some people. This is because the surgery can affect the perception of floaters, especially for people with pre‐existing floaters.
Here is why;
Increased visibility ‐ After the surgery, your vision will generally be clearer and more detailed. This increased clarity can make pre-existing floaters more visible, even though their actual number hasn’t increased.
Surgical Effects ‐ The process of removing the lens can sometimes lead to changes in the vitreous body. These changes can cause new floaters to form.
Postoperative changes ‐ As the eye heals, it might undergo temporary fluctuations in fluid dynamics and light entry. This can potentially make floaters seem more prominent or numerous.
