Side effects from cataract surgery

[Danrob]

My mother had a cataract removed today, and her cornea immediately became cloudy.  The doctor said it "should clear up in about a week".  What causes this?  As you can imagine, she's very disappointed, can you offer any helpful suggestions?  She is eighty-four, no diabetes or macular degeneration, or other eye problems, but she does have R. arthritis  Thanks for your time..

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

This is called corneal edema and is due to shock waves coming off the phaco handpiece hitting the corneal endothelium.  It can also be caused by chunks of the cataract bumping into the cornea.  It is more common with dense, hard cataracts requiring a lot of phaco energy or more phaco power.  It is also more common in people with unhealthy corneas which is sometimes the case in much older eyes with dense cataracts.  Bottom line is that the edema will resolve in about 99% of the time - so the odds are on her side.  I've done over 8000 cases and never had a case where the edema didn't resolve - although statistically I know that it will remain in some patients.  It should be much better in a week and hopefully very clear in a few weeks.  Follow the doctor's instructions - this is a very routine situation.  Rarely the edema or cloudines does not go away - if not better in a few weeks you may want to post again.

MJK MD

[Danrob]

Thanks so much for your reply.  My family feels so much better about the outcome of this surgery, and it's good to have information that's so hopeful.
Thanks again, Danrob