Some people report persistent or newly developed cloudy vision after cataract surgery. This is typically due to posterior capsular opacification.
Cataracts cause cloudy or blurry vision. They are an area of clouding on the lens of the eye. The only effective way to treat cataracts is with surgery.
Following recovery, a person will typically see clearly again. However, anywhere from a few weeks to a few years later, a person may develop posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Sometimes referred to as scarring or secondary cataract, PCO causes cloudy vision to return.
This article reviews what PCO is, how common it is, its causes, treatments, and more.
PCO is the most common complication associated with cataract surgery. About
Younger age is a risk factor for PCO.
PCO causes cloudy vision. It can also cause other symptoms, such as:
- reduction in contrast sensitivity
- lack of binocular vision
- halo effect
The natural lens is covered by a transparent membrane called the lens capsule. After cataract surgery, the membrane that covered the backside of the lens is left behind, untouched. This posterior membrane holds the replacement artificial lens implant in place. PCO occurs when the posterior capsule becomes cloudy.
Newer cataract surgery techniques may be helping reduce the likelihood of PCO, but they have not stopped it from occurring entirely.
A surgeon replaces the natural lens with an artificial one during cataract surgery. The posterior capsule holds the new lens in place.
After cataract surgery, the transparent posterior capsule can become cloudy. This can create new symptoms that degrade the clear vision experienced after successful surgery.
The
Historically, surgeons inserted a sterile needle into the eye to painlessly create a central opening in the cloudy membrane. Today, the most common treatment for PCO is laser surgery.
During laser surgery, a surgeon punctures a hole in the posterior capsule, which restores clear vision in most people. The procedure takes about 5 minutes to complete. It should restore a person’s vision within 24 hours.
However, the procedure is
Researchers are currently looking into other options, but more research is needed to prove their effectiveness and safety for many people.
Changing surgical techniques may also help prevent PCO.
A person who experiences cloudy vision that developed after cataract surgery, even a few years later, should consider talking with an optometrist or eye doctor. They can help determine whether someone has developed PCO.
After cataract surgery, it is essential for people to follow all instructions from their doctor to help aid recovery.
A person can consider reaching out to a doctor if they experience continued symptoms after cataract surgery, such as seeing:
- hazy vision
- shadows
- starburst patterns around lights
- halos
- glare
Cataract surgery
During surgery, common complications include:
- bleeding inside the eye
- lens fragments falling deep inside the eye
- floppy iris syndrome
- posterior capsule rupture
- iris or ciliary body injury
After surgery, common complications can include:
- transient elevated intraocular pressure
- cornea edema
- clinical cystoid macular edema
- toxic anterior segment syndrome
- endophthalmitis
- retinal detachment
Cataract surgery will not fix vision issues due to other underlying causes. If a person still experiences vision issues after recovering from cataract surgery, they may need treatment for other eye conditions, such as:
Cataract surgery can greatly improve vision. However, a common complication is PCO, when the transparent membrane becomes opaque, leading to cloudy or blurry vision.
A person can consider talking with a doctor if they develop cloudy vision after cataract surgery or if their vision does not improve. They may need additional therapies or treatments to help restore their sight.
Laser surgery is currently the preferred method to treat PCO, though other potentially effective therapies are under investigation. Advances in modern cataract surgery techniques may also be effective in preventing PCO.