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Cataract Surgery Complications

My surgeon has advised me that there is 1:1000 chance of losing vision as a result of post-operative complications (infection, cystoid macular oedema, retinal detachment, haemorrhage). I thought cataract surgery is a very routine and safe operation, with over 14 million operations done per year.  Does this mean 14,000 patients per year lose their vision as a result of cataract surgery per year?  I find this very alarming and I am having nightmares about my forthcoming operation. Any comments?
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Avatar universal
I also had 3 different eye drops, Durezol (steroid), Prolensa (anti inflammatory), and Besivance (anti-biotic).  Happily the Besivance was only for 1 week after each surgery, since it was the consistency of gravy and a real PITA.  And with all the drops, I missed my eye a lot.  LOL.  I got better at it, but never got good at it.
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Thank you Kayaker.  Yes indeed I have so far rigidly followed the regime of 3 different eye drops each multiple times a day and intend to do so for the next 4 weeks as prescribed by the surgeon.
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Congratulations.  
I found that vision was MUCH improved once the 2nd eye was done.  Keep up with the drops and updates.
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Thank you Nancy!  I had the op on the second eye yesterday and it was as uneventful as the first - just how I like it :)
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7765252 tn?1395096028
Congratulations on the surgery!  You didn't miss all that much, IMO.  My lights were all white.
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I had the surgery on my RE a few days ago.  The anaesthetist injected something into my vain which he said was going to relax me, but the next thing I know is when they told me the op was over - I have no memory of what happened in between.  Seems like I missed the light show :)
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I'm now looking forward to the experience, lol
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Exactly....that is what it does...you are totally awake but very relaxed and mellow (lol)...you just see a lot of colors...your eye is anesthetized and the lids are held open with a clamp....you can't move...just need to follow the doctor's directions...this is why they don't knock you out...you won't really feel anything much and won't even be aware of exactly what is happening...

They always give that for iol surgery....for lasik, in fact, you don't even need that...they just anesthetized the eye...
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Avatar universal
"Scheduled for the 1st eye cataract surgery next Monday."


Woops!   Actually my surgery will be Monday next, Sept 8th, since this coming Monday is a Holiday.  
And the Valium and Versed won't knock anyone out, just puts them in a relaxed state, avoids pain, and even provides a little amnesia effect.  If you look at some of the Youtube videos, there seems to be a lot of "Look at the red/green light.", "Look up.", "Look down." going on during the procedure.  
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Avatar universal
I agree with you and I'm personally not frightened and would be OK with just drops in my eye.  I think my surgeon is ultra cautious and doesn't want to take any risks with me moving during surgery. I'm not sure exactly what he is going to do.  Their literature talks about conscious sedation, so it might be a valium tablet.
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Avatar universal
No need for him to knock you out...though they do give an anesthesia to help you relax and also the eye is numbed to...you don't really feel a thing...

after i had my first eye done, the second eye was easy because i was more relaxed after the first one when i saw it was really no big thing...nothing to be nervous about...you'll hardly notice what is going on and it's fairly quick too...

in fact, after i had it i wondered why i waiting so darn long to do it!

i am a little surprised he wants to knock you out...it is better to be conscious when it is done..
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Thanks, yes I agree for the vast majority of people (including my own parents who are nearly 90) the experience is as you describe.
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Avatar universal
I have recently taken my 90 year old father for his second cataract replacement. As his eye sight is good, just a standard clear lens was implanted. He just had the local anesthetic drops, sat back in the chair and 15 minutes later was back in the recovery room with me. No issues, just a tired eye that night, next day was fine. Took the drops as prescribed and thats it. I wouldn't worry about the op.
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Good luck!  My surgeon also has told me he will knock me out before surgery :)
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Scheduled for the 1st eye cataract surgery next Monday.
Valium before the Laser, and Versed in the arm  for the cataract removal and Trulign implant.
My surgical coordinator says I'll be "on vacation".
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Avatar universal
Yes I know, it will have to be done eventually before I lose vision due to cataract, so the sooner the better.
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Thanks for your encouraging comment.  In fact my surgeon is highly experienced and respected and what is of comfort to me is that I have a very healthy profile and I know how important it is to follow post operative care. Regardless, it is going to be an anxious few weeks :)
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Avatar universal
And what are the odds of losing your vision if you leave the cataracts untreated?
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7765252 tn?1395096028
I would bet that a lot of those cases of complications are due to inexperience of the surgeon and failure to follow up on meds and checkups.   If you pick an experienced surgeon and follow all the recommendations about drops and check-ups, I'll bet the rate would be much lower.  No facts to back this up, just my opinion.
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