Medically Reviewed by: Mark L. Mayo, M.D.
What is the Cataract Surgery Success Rate?
The cataract surgery success rate is a common topic brought up by our patients, which is typically followed up with the question, “Is cataract surgery safe?”
You’ll be happy to know that not only is cataract surgery nearly painless with a quick recovery process, but it also has a very high success rate — 97-98% according to recent studies. This is because it is a common surgery that involves very few (if any) possible complications.
Is cataract surgery always successful?
Like we said before, cataract surgery is a common surgery with a high success rate of 98%. However, the longer you wait to have cataract surgery, the more likely it is that you can experience some setbacks. In other words, cataract surgery isn’t always successful … but it usually is.
What can cause cataract surgery to be unsuccessful?
If you’ve been asking yourself “why is my vision getting worse?” untreated cataracts may be to blame. Untreated cataracts become denser over time and can eventually become “hyper-mature.” When this happens, it can be more difficult to remove the cataract (which can ultimately cause issues during the surgery).
So if you’re wondering “Can you wait too long to have cataract surgery?” — the quick answer is yes. As a rule of thumb, just remember that the longer you wait, the more difficult the surgery will become. In other words, it’s best to keep on the lookout for the early signs of cataracts, meet regularly with your eye doctor, and take the necessary preventative precautions.
How long does it take for the eye to heal after cataract surgery?
After a successful cataract surgery, you can expect a relatively painless recovery. Most people only need an average of one to three days off work and can resume the majority of day-to-day activities within the first 48 hours. The complete cataract surgery recovery time can take as long as 8 weeks.
As far as your vision goes, you can expect things to stabilize within 3-6 weeks. Keep in mind, if you receive a Monofocal IOL, you may experience a slightly longer recovery process.
What are the cataract surgery complications?
Post-surgery it is very rare for patients to experience any complications. This is why cataract surgery is considered a very safe and effective procedure. Outside of the initial recovery process, any side effects or issues people experience after cataract surgery are minor.
To top things off, with the introduction of laser-assisted cataract surgery, surgeons are given the tools to be more successful, which ultimately leads to fewer complications during and after the surgery.
One additional point of consideration is whether or not you need cataract surgery done on both eyes. While you can have two rounds of cataract surgery, doing surgery on both eyes at once can present additional complications. For this reason, Eye Center of Texas advises patients with cataracts in both eyes to wait at least a few days between procedures.
Contact Eye Center of Texas to start discussing cataract surgery options
If you’re questioning the success rate of cataract surgery, you can rest assured that cataract surgery is safe, effective, and long-lasting. If you’re experiencing any signs of early cataracts, make an appointment with Eye Center of Texas today, so you can have a successful cataract surgery in the future.
Give us a call at 713-797-1010 or contact us online to request an appointment, discuss cost, and explore your options for achieving better vision safely and successfully.
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