title: Complications of cataract surgery.
abstract: Modern cataract surgery is safe in more than 95 per cent of patients. In the small number of cases where a serious complication occurs, the most common is an intra-operative posterior capsular rupture. This can lead to vitreous loss or a dropped nucleus and can increase the risk of post-operative cystoid macular oedema or retinal detachment. Post-operatively, posterior capsular opacification is the most common complication and can be readily treated with a YAG capsulotomy. The most devastating complication is endophthalmitis, the rate of which is now significantly decreased through the use of intracameral antibiotics. As a clinician, the most important step is to assess the patient pre-operatively to predict higher risk individuals and to counsel them appropriately. In these patients, various pre- or intra-operative management steps can be taken in addition to routine phacoemulsification to optimise their visual outcome.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Elsie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Omar A R
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Mahroo
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Spalton
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000293:injuries; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000209:etiology; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology