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  • Does cataract surgery with nearsightedness have higher risk of retinal problems?


    Question:

    I am nearsighted and have a preexisting posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and floaters in both eyes. Does cataract surgery carry a higher risk of retinal detachment, more PVD, and/or an increase in the floaters?


    Answer:

    Although cataract surgery does increase your risk for a retinal detachment, this risk is still fairly low, as less than 1% of cataract surgeries lead to retinal detachment.

    The risk is greater if you are young, male, nearsighted (myopia) or if you have not had a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). A pre-existing PVD decreases your risk but does not eliminate it.

    Floaters normally increase with age and following a PVD. With a pre-existing PVD, cataract surgery may allow the floaters to be seen more clearly but usually will not cause an increase in the number of floaters.


    Answered By:

    Surgery Cataracts Torn or Detached Retina