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Cataract Surgery Risks

What are the associated risks of cataract surgery?

Because Pacific Eye Institute cares deeply about patient care and visual outcomes we like to be very honest about surgical risks regarding cataract surgery or premium lens implants. Although cataract surgery is one of the safest surgeries performed today the American Academy of Ophthalmology takes the position that all surgery has risks.

All operations and procedures are risky and can result in unsuccessful results, complications, injury, or even death, from both known and unknown causes. The major risks of cataract surgery include, but are not limited to bleeding; infection; injury to parts of the eye and nearby structures from the anesthesia, the operation itself, or pieces of the lens that cannot be removed; high eye pressure; a detached retina, and a droopy eyelid. Depending upon the type of anesthesia, other risks are possible, including cardiac and respiratory problems, and, in rare cases, death. There is no guarantee that cataract surgery or astigmatism reduction will improve your vision.

Cataract Surgery Anesthesia Risk

As a result of the surgery and/or anesthesia, it is possible that your vision could be made worse. In some cases, complications may occur weeks, months or even years later. These and other complications may result in poor vision, total loss of vision, or even loss of the eye in rare situations. You may need additional treatment or surgery to treat these complications. This additional treatment is not included in the fee for this procedure.

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