What are the risks of having a Lens Exchange operation?
There is a small risk in having any operation including Lens Exchange surgery. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, the risk of ending up with worse vision as a result of the surgery is very small; perhaps of the order of 1% or less. The risk of losing all vision or of requiring removal of the eye after the operation (e.g. because of an infection) is extremely remote; but it is not zero. The types of risk involved in having Lens Exchange surgery include: Infection within the eye: Bleeding within the eye: Disturbance to the retina, e.g. a retinal detachment or a swelling of the centre of the retina called cystoid macular oedema. Permanent clouding of the cornea: A long term increased pressure within the eye: A drooping of the upper eyelid. These complications are rare. If they occur further surgery to the eye may be required. It should be emphasised that in the vast majority of cases Lens Exchange surgery is uneventful with excellent results. However this cannot be guaranteed.
