Risks of implantation surgery

The operation is very similar to a cataract operation (although the device implanted is different). Thus all the risks of cataract surgery apply to this procedure. Cataract surgery has an extremely low complication rate.

However, you should be aware that there is a small risk of complications, either during or after the operation. About two per cent of patients have worse vision in the operated eye after cataract surgery (even with glasses) than before and about 0.1 per cent of patients end up with severely reduced vision in the operated eye (even with glasses). Complications can in most cases be effectively treated. A small proportion of cases may require further surgery. Very rarely some complications can cause blindness in the operated eye.

Potential complications are described below, this is not an exhaustive list, and if you have any concerns you should discuss them with your surgeon prior to surgery.

Anaesthetic Complications

·       Any surgery can precipitate stress reactions in patients which can lead to worsening of angina or rarely, a heart attack (0.02 per cent)

·       Anaesthetic drops may cause the surface of the cornea to react as if it  were scratched

·       Injections can rarely cause bleeding in the tissues around the eye. If this occurs, the surgery may need to be postponed and can usually be done at a later date. Very rarely, this can lead to permanent loss of vi.sion.

·       Injections may rarely cause damage to the back of the eye which can be serious (0.02 per cent).

Some possible complications during the operation

• Tearing of the back part of the lens capsule with disturbance of the gel inside the eye that may sometimes result in reduced vision, if this occurs, the implant may not be placed in the eye (1% approximately)

• Loss of all or part of the natural lens material into the back of the eye requiring a further operation which may require a general anaesthetic to remove this. This is rare, but if it does occur, then it may not be possible to place the implant in the eye.

• Bleeding inside the eye. This is very rare, but can lead to permanent loss of vision, or the need for further surgery

Some possible complications after the operation

• Bruising of the eye or eyelids

• High pressure inside the eye ( a form of glaucoma)

• Clouding of the cornea (usually clears with time, but can be permanent for a very small proportion of patients

• Dislocation (movement) of the implant

• Swelling of the retina - macular oedema

• Detached retina which can lead to loss of sight

• Infection in the eye - endophthalmitis - which can lead to loss of sight or even the eye (0.03 to 0.2 per cent)

• Allergy to the medication used

• Posterior capsular opacification. It may come on gradually after months or years. When this happens, the back part of the lens capsule, which was left in the eye to support the implant, becomes cloudy. This prevents light from reaching the retina. A smaller secondary operation may be required to clear this.

I hope this information is sufficient to help you decide whether to go ahead with surgery. Please write down any further questions to ask Mr Prasad or a member of the team when you come to the hospital for your appointment. Don't worry about asking questions. We will be happy to answer them.

This page was last modified on Saturday, October 03, 2009