Can Your Eyes Get Worse After Cataract Surgery?

Quick answer: Rarely. Cataract surgery is highly successful, and most issues that temporarily worsen vision, like swelling or inflammation, settle on their own or are easily treated. A few rare complications need prompt attention, and a couple are emergencies.

Rare, usually temporary complications

• Infection: can cause pain, redness, and light sensitivity, and may need antibiotics. Contact your eye doctor if concerned.
• Inflammation: some swelling and redness is normal; corneal swelling can briefly haze vision and usually improves over days to weeks, sometimes with eye drops.
• Floaters and flashes: surgery can nudge the vitreous, causing harmless floaters or flashes, but because these can also signal retinal detachment, always report them.

Very rare complications

• Retinal detachment: flashes, a surge of new floaters, or a dark curtain across your vision is a medical emergency, seek care immediately. See retinal detachment.
• Fluid buildup: a leaking vessel can blur vision, treated with drops or, if severe, an injection or further surgery.
• Dislocated IOL: the lens implant can occasionally shift, causing double or blurred vision, and may need repositioning.
• Posterior capsule opacification (PCO): a "secondary cataract" that clouds vision months to years later, fixed in about five minutes with a YAG laser. See blurry vision after cataract surgery.

Lowering your risk

The biggest factor in avoiding complications is the skill and experience of your surgeon, especially if you have other eye or health conditions. Choose a board-certified specialist, review their track record, and ask questions.

Cataract care at West Boca Eye Center

West Boca Eye Center in Boca Raton, led by board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Brent Bellotte, provides cataract surgery, laser vision correction, and complete eye care. Learn more about cataract surgery or see the recovery timeline.