After a successful cataract surgery, you enjoy the return of clear, vibrant vision. When removed, a cataract cannot come back after surgery. But what happens if, months or even years later, you notice things starting to get a little cloudy again? Something called a “secondary cataract” can cause the return of cloudy vision you may experience.
It’s a common concern that our team at Stanislaus Vision Associates can address. The experienced optometric staff can help you understand what’s happening.
A Quick Look at Cataracts and Surgery
To understand what happens after surgery, it helps to remember what a cataract is and how the procedure works. This knowledge makes it much clearer why your vision might change down the road.
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This lens is supposed to be clear so light can focus correctly. When it becomes cloudy, your vision can seem blurry, hazy, or less colorful, as if you were looking through a foggy window. Cataracts are a common age-related eye condition that’s easy to deal with once it affects your daily life.
How Does Surgery Help?
Cataract surgery is a common and effective procedure. An eye doctor removes your cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This new lens lets light pass through clearly again, which helps restore your vision.
Can a Cataract Return After Surgery?
Once your eye doctor replaces the cloudy natural lens with an IOL, a cataract cannot grow back on that new lens. The IOL placed in your eye during surgery is made to last a lifetime. Because it isn’t made of living tissue, it cannot develop the same cloudiness as your natural lens did.
Why Does Vision Get Cloudy Again?
If your vision becomes blurry after a successful surgery, it’s natural to think the cataract has returned. The real cause is a common condition that your eye doctor can address.
Understanding a Secondary Cataract
A condition called posterior capsule opacification typically causes the post-surgery cloudiness. Many people call this condition a “secondary cataract,” but it is not a true cataract.
During your original surgery, your eye doctor placed the new lens inside a thin, clear membrane in your eye called the lens capsule. Over time, this capsule can become hazy or wrinkled, blocking light and causing blurry vision. These changes mimic the symptoms of your original cataract.
Common Symptoms You Might Notice
The signs of a secondary cataract are similar to those of the original cataract and can develop slowly. You might experience:
- Gradually blurring or hazy vision
- Trouble with glare from sunlight or headlights at night
- Seeing halos around lights
- A general decrease in the sharpness of your vision
A Simple Fix for Secondary Cataracts
If you do develop this condition, the treatment is quick and effective. It’s a painless laser procedure performed right in the office, and usually takes just a few minutes.
The procedure is called a YAG laser capsulotomy. The eye doctor uses a special laser to create a tiny, clear opening in the cloudy capsule. This new opening allows light to pass through to the back of your eye again, helping restore clear vision.
Most people notice improved vision within 24 hours. The procedure is a 1-time fix for most people, and you can typically return to your normal activities the very next day. Your doctor may give you some eye drops to use for a few days.
Discuss Your Vision Care with Our Team
Even after your cataract surgery and any follow-up care, your eye health remains a priority. Regular check-ups help monitor your vision and the overall health of your eyes for years to come.Keeping up with your yearly eye exams allows your eye care team to track any changes in your vision. If you notice any changes in your vision, it’s always a good idea to schedule a visit with us. Our friendly team at Stanislaus Vision Associates can assess your eyes, answer your questions, and discuss any steps needed to maintain clear vision. We’re here to help you and your family with your vision needs.
