Can You Get Cataracts Again After Surgery?

A cataract is a cloudiness that forms on the eye’s natural lens, causing blurry, dull vision, increased light sensitivity, and poor night vision. Cataract surgery restores clear vision by removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one.

Once a cataract is removed, it can’t come back. However, some people may experience posterior capsule opacification (PCO), which causes similar symptoms but is not an actual cataract. 

PCO can develop weeks, months, or years after cataract surgery. Treatment is quick and effectively improves vision. 

Cataracts can’t come back after being taken out. Cataract surgery removes the eye’s natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL is made of acrylic, silicon, and other artificial components, which makes it impossible for a cataract to form.

Some people experience vision changes after surgery due to posterior capsular opacification (PCO), or a secondary cataract. While PCO can cause similar vision problems, such as blurry vision, it’s not a true cataract and is easily treatable.

PCO can develop weeks, months, or years following cataract surgery, which affects 2 out of 5 people who have the surgery. It happens when the posterior capsule, a thin membrane in the eye that once held the natural lens and now holds the IOL in place, becomes cloudy.

PCO happens because some cells from the eye’s natural lens remain in the eye after cataract surgery. These cells can multiply and move across the posterior capsule, forming a cloudy layer over the IOL over time and causing symptoms similar to cataracts, like blurry vision. 

Secondary cataracts are treatable with a posterior capsulotomy. During this procedure, an eye doctor uses a laser to create a small opening in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through. The treatment takes only a few minutes and provides immediate improvement in vision.

Cataract surgery is a quick procedure that removes the eye’s cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision. The surgery usually lasts about 30 minutes, and most people go home the same day. 

During Cataract Surgery

Here’s what to expect during your cataract surgery:

1. Numbing: You’ll be awake during cataract surgery, but your ophthalmologist—an eye doctor with specialized training in performing eye surgeries—will numb your eye with special drops or an injection so you won’t feel any pain. You may also be given medication to help you relax.
2. Cataract removal: Your ophthalmologist will make tiny openings in your eye, often near the cornea (the transparent layer forming the front of the eye) and use a phaco probe (a specialized ultrasound tool) to break up and gently remove the cloudy lens. Once they remove the natural lens, they’ll insert an IOL to replace it. The openings are usually so tiny that they don’t require stitches and will heal on their own.
3. Post-surgery: After the surgery, you’ll rest in a recovery area so healthcare providers can monitor you for 15-30 minutes. Once cleared to go home, you’ll receive post-surgery care instructions, including how to protect your eye and promote healing.

Recovery and Healing Time 

Most people have mild discomfort, itching, or photophobia (sensitivity to light) for the first few days after cataract surgery, but these symptoms should go away quickly. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection and reduce swelling. You may also need to wear a protective shield while sleeping to avoid accidentally rubbing or pressing on your eye.

Vision often improves within a few days; complete healing takes about 2-4 weeks. During this period, you may need to avoid heavy lifting, bending over, or getting water or soap directly in your eye. Your ophthalmologist will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your recovery and determine whether you need an updated prescription for glasses or contacts.

Cataract surgery is highly effective, and about 90% of people who’ve had the surgery see better afterward.

While cataracts won’t return, cataract surgery can have potential complications. Cataract surgery is generally safe and successful. However, like any surgical procedure, it has potential risks, and some people may experience complications that require additional treatment.

Possible cataract surgery complications include: 

• Eye infection 
• Bleeding in the eye 
• Swelling in the front or inside the eye 
• Retinal detachment, where the retina pulls away from the back of the eye
• Dislocated intraocular lens, when the artificial lens shifts out of place
• Blurred vision, seeing halos or dark shadows, or vision loss

Some cataract surgery complications that require additional surgery to fix include:

• Intraocular lens dislocation: Surgery can replace or place the dislocated lens in the correct position.
• Retinal detachment: This is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical repair to reattach the retina.
• Severe bleeding: Severe eye bleeding after cataract surgery may require a vitrectomy to remove excess blood, reduce eye pressure, and preserve vision.

Contact your eye doctor immediately if you experience sudden vision changes, severe pain, or worsening symptoms after cataract surgery. Early treatment of complications can help prevent long-term vision problems and ensure the best possible outcome.

Cataract surgery recovery is typically smooth, and most people notice improvements to their vision within a few days—though it may take up to a year for your eyes to feel completely normal. Proper aftercare can help healing and prevent complications, and following your eye doctor’s instructions can ensure a successful recovery. 

After cataract surgery, your eye doctor may recommend general recovery guidelines, such as: 

• Use prescribed eye drops as directed to reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and promote healing
• Wear a protective eye shield while sleeping for the first few nights to avoid accidental rubbing or pressure
• Expect mild discomfort, such as dryness, irritation, or light sensitivity; these should improve within a few days
• Attend all follow-up appointments to ensure your eye is healing properly

To protect your eye and prevent complications, you shouldn’t: 

• Rub or touch your eye, even if it feels irritated
• Lift anything heavy or participate in intense activities for at least a week
• Bend over or lower your head below your waist for 48 hours after surgery, which can increase eye pressure and delay healing
• Swim or use hot tubs for at least two weeks to reduce the risk of infection
• Drive until your eye doctor says it’s safe to do so

Most people recover without issues, but contact your eye doctor immediately if you experience sudden vision loss, severe eye pain that doesn’t improve with medicine, flashes of light, new floaters, a dark curtain in your vision, nausea, vomiting, or excessive coughing.

While cataracts can’t return after cataract surgery, some people may develop secondary cataracts, a treatable condition that causes similar vision issues. 

Most people recover smoothly after cataract surgery with proper post-surgery care. Avoiding intense activities and protecting your eye can help promote healing. 

Contact your eye doctor immediately if you experience sudden vision changes, severe pain, or unusual symptoms like nausea and vomiting after cataract surgery.