American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [738]
WARNING!
Do Not Take Aspirin After Cataract Surgery
Do not take aspirin (or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or drugs that contain aspirin to relieve pain after surgery because these drugs can cause bleeding. If you are experiencing discomfort or pain, talk to your doctor, who can recommend or prescribe a pain reliever that does not contain aspirin.
Your vision may be blurry for a few weeks after surgery, until the eye has healed. Most people with a lens implant still need to wear glasses for certain activities.
Possible Complications
Possible complications after cataract surgery include infection, bleeding, inflammation (which causes pain, redness, and swelling), increased pressure inside the eye, flashes of light, or loss of vision. These problems can usually be treated successfully when treated promptly. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. In some cases, the posterior capsule (part of the natural lens that is not removed in cataract surgery) may become cloudy months or years after cataract surgery, causing blurred vision. This condition, called an after-cataract, can be corrected with a surgical procedure that uses a laser to make a tiny hole in the cloudy membrane to allow light in, which improves vision. The procedure is brief and painless.
In acute closed-angle glaucoma, the drainage angle unexpectedly becomes blocked by part of the iris, which causes a sudden, severe increase in pressure inside the eyes. If not treated promptly, the increased pressure can quickly lead to blindness in the affected eye. In low tension or normal tension glaucoma, the optic nerve is damaged for no obvious reason in people with normal pressure inside the eyes, causing loss of peripheral (side) vision. Doctors do not fully understand this type of glaucoma.
Risk Factors
Although anyone can develop chronic open-angle glaucoma, your risk is increased if you have a family history of glaucoma or diabetes (see page 889) or if you are nearsighted (see page 1030), over age 60, or black and over age 40.
Early detection and treatment are the best ways to control glaucoma. If you are at increased risk of developing the disease, see an ophthalmologist (eye MD) for a thorough eye examination (see page 1028) at least every 1 to 2 years (or as often as your doctor recommends).
Symptoms
Chronic open-angle glaucoma usually does not produce symptoms in the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, the optic nerve is damaged, and blind spots begin to develop, especially in peripheral vision. Objects in the front of the visual field are seen clearly, but those to the side may not be seen. Gradually the visual field becomes more and more narrow until total blindness occurs. These symptoms also occur in low tension and normal tension glaucoma.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma occurs suddenly, without warning. The symptoms include redness of the eye, blurred vision, severe eye pain, severe headache, rainbows or halos around lights, and nausea and vomiting. This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment to reduce pressure inside the eyeball.
Healthy eye
In a healthy eye, a clear, watery liquid called aqueous fluid flows constantly through the pupil, between the iris and the cornea, and drains into veins. The fluid bathes and nourishes nearby tissues and removes wastes.
Chronic open-angle glaucoma
In chronic open-angle glaucoma, the drainage angle malfunctions and the aqueous fluid does not drain properly. As the fluid builds up, pressure inside the eyeball increases, potentially causing permanent damage to the optic nerve and other parts of the eye.
WARNING!
Acute Closed-Angle Glaucoma
If not treated promptly, acute closed-angle glaucoma can quickly lead to blindness. When glaucoma occurs suddenly, without