Is It Possible for Cataracts to Recur?

Have you had your cataracts removed and are experiencing recurrent vision problems? Cataract surgery is a standard and effective treatment for restoring vision affected by cataracts, completely reversing common symptoms like cloudy or blurry vision, difficulty seeing in low light, and seeing halos and glare around bright lights.

Keep reading to find out if it’s possible for cataracts to recur and what it could mean for your vision.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are an age-related eye condition that occurs when proteins and fibers within the eye break off and clump together. These clumps collect on the eye’s naturally clear lens, preventing light from reaching the retina and impairing vision.

Other common symptoms of cataracts include sensitivity to bright lights, night blindness, changes in color perception, and yellow or milky white pupils. Cataracts usually develop slowly and may take years to seriously impact your vision. The only effective treatment for cataracts is cataract surgery.

What to Expect During Cataract Surgery

During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon uses LENSX laser technology to remove the natural lens of the eye affected by cataracts and then replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL).

Protein and fiber can no longer accumulate on the IOL, preventing cataracts from coming back. An IOL can also correct vision at one or more distances.

The standard lens used in cataract surgery is a monofocal lens, which can correct either near or distance vision. Premium IOLs can correct vision at two or more distances, reducing or eliminating the need for visual aids.

While cataract surgery means the end of cataract symptoms for most people, a small percentage of patients sometimes experience the return of symptoms like cloudy or blurry vision. They may not experience these symptoms until months, or even years, after cataract surgery.

These post-cataract surgery symptoms are not the return of cataracts; however, they could be signs of developing posterior capsular opacification.

What is Posterior Capsular Opacification?

Posterior capsular opacification is often called “secondary cataracts” and occurs in approximately 5-10% of cataract surgery patients. It develops when proteins in the eye come off and clump together on the back side of the lens capsule.

The lens capsule is a thin, transparent membrane that holds the lens of the eye in place. During cataract surgery, it is kept intact to support the replacement IOL.

As protein builds up on the back of the lens capsule, it creates a thick layer of tissue that blocks light from entering the eye. The symptoms of posterior capsular opacification are very similar to cataracts. These include cloudy vision, sensitivity to bright light, impaired vision in low light, and double vision.

It is important to stress that posterior capsular opacification is not the return of cataracts. It is an entirely different eye condition for which there is effective treatment.

What are the Treatments for Posterior Capsular Opacification?

The most common treatment for posterior capsular opacification is a surgical procedure called a posterior capsulotomy. During this procedure, your surgeon uses a precise laser to make a small opening in the lens capsule.

It is a quick procedure performed at Berg Feinfield Vision Correction. Most patients notice a significant improvement in the clarity of their vision within 1-2 days after the procedure.

If you have enjoyed years of clear vision after cataract surgery, it can be very distressing to experience the return of the cataract-like symptoms caused by posterior capsular opacification. Are you ready for better vision? Schedule your appointment with Berg Feinfield Vision Correction in Beverly Hills, CA, today!