Lens Replacement Surgery Risks

Lens replacement surgery is incredibly safe when it is carried out at one of Optegra’s dedicated, modern and welcoming eye hospitals by one of our world class, NHS-trained Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons.

All of our facilities boast the utmost in high professional standards and our technical and surgical equipment is the most advanced available. When you choose Optegra, you can rest assured that you will be in safe, knowledgeable and competent hands and that any lens replacement problems are extremely rare.

It’s natural to wonder if a medical procedure is going to be painful and to consider any eye lens replacement risks. The good news is that Optegra’s lens replacement surgery is completely painless as it is performed under local anaesthetic.

After surgery you may experience mild discomfort and an itching sensation but this is normal and should disappear within a day or two. We can also assure you that we take great care to minimise any eye lens replacement risks and that you will receive the highest standard of care from the minute you schedule your consultation to after your surgery.

Not everyone will encounter side effects of lens replacement surgery but there is a possibility you may experience one or more of the following.

Blurred vision: this will improve over the week or two following the procedure.

Glare and halos: these will significantly reduce in the first month and will continue to diminish over a period of three months.

Red eye: occasionally a blood vessel is disturbed during treatment which results in the eye appearing red. This is not uncomfortable and does not affect vision. The redness will vanish over the course of a few weeks.

Irritability: dry eye drops can help alleviate a ‘gritty’ sensation in the eye. This can take up to six to eight weeks to dissipate.

Tenderness: this will disappear after a few days.

As with any medical procedure there can be eye lens replacement risks, however these are extremely rare. Side effects of lens replacement surgery affect only a very small proportion of patients and your surgeon will be happy to discuss any concerns at your consultation.

Residual short or long-sightedness or astigmatism: glasses may be needed for tasks such as driving or reading. In some cases a “top-up” laser treatment to further improve the eyesight can be performed.

Infection: lens replacement problems can include infection in a fraction of cases – less than 0.05%.

Retinal detachment: the membrane at the back of the eye may detach following the procedure. This can be corrected by surgery but quality of vision may not be the same as before.

Cystoid Macula Oedema: occasionally the macula (part of the retina) swells causing a decrease in vision. Mild cases can be treated with eye drops.

Yes, lens implants are permanent. They have given countless people a far greater quality of life by giving them back, or improving upon, their vision. As we have said, there can be eye lens replacement risks, but they really are few and far between and affect a very small proportion of patients.

The vast majority of people who Optegra treats have encountered nothing more than mild side effects of lens replacement surgery such as a little tenderness around the eye area or blurred vision – both of which dissipate in the week or so following the treatment.