Risks & FAQs
The honest version
Every operation carries risk. These are the real numbers, stated plainly, so you can weigh them before deciding.
Risks of cataract & lens surgery
- Unrealistic expectations — the most common cause of disappointment. No lens restores youthful vision perfectly; the aim is a good compromise.
- Posterior capsular rupture — Mr Desai's personal risk is below 1 in 1,000, against published figures of about 1 in 700 for dropped-lens complications.
- Endophthalmitis / severe visual loss — rare but serious infection: 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 10,000.
- Dry eyes — very common after surgery; usually settles over about 4 months.
- Flashes, floaters and retinal detachment — any NEW floaters, flashes or shadows after surgery need urgent review.
- Posterior capsular opacity — clouding behind the lens in around 20% of patients over 5 years; treated with a quick YAG laser procedure.
- Glare and haloes — mainly with multifocal lenses; the brain usually adapts over time.
- Residual refractive error — around 7% of patients need further correction.
- Cystoid macular oedema — swelling of the retina in 1–2% of patients, usually treatable.
- Iritis — inflammation inside the eye, treated with drops.
- Multifocal intolerance — fewer than 1% of multifocal patients cannot adapt and may need the lens exchanged.
Warning signs: any new floaters, flashes of light or shadows in your vision after surgery need urgent specialist review. Do not wait for a routine appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Mr Desai's real answers to the questions patients actually ask.
A fair question to ask any refractive surgeon. Mr Desai's own vision does not yet justify surgery — and that is exactly the standard he applies to patients: surgery only when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. There are no perfect solutions, and all solutions have their own disadvantages.
Replacing a lens that gives you good distance vision carries risk with limited gain. Reading glasses, monovision with contact lenses, or simply waiting are often the wiser choices. If surgery is still preferred, the options and their trade-offs are discussed honestly at consultation.
Ranked from lowest risk to highest: no treatment or spectacles → enhanced monofocal → monovision → multifocal. Higher risk equals higher benefit — greater freedom from glasses comes at the cost of a higher chance of glare, haloes or quality-of-vision issues. The right choice depends on your eyes, your lifestyle and your tolerance of risk. See the lens options in full.
The operation is done under anaesthetic drops — no injections, no general anaesthetic for most patients. You will be aware of light and movement, a little like looking through a kaleidoscope, and it is over in about 7 minutes.
In Mr Desai's audit, around 95% of patients met the driving vision standard by the next morning. You self-certify that you meet the standard, as the DVLA requires.
Take it easy for a week. Upper-body exercise can resume after 4–6 weeks.
No head shower for a week — keep water out of the eye. No swimming for 4–6 weeks.
Four times daily for 2 weeks, then twice daily until the bottle is finished.
A clear protective shield is worn for the first 24 hours, then nightly for 5 days. You can see through it the whole time.
The rest of your life. The artificial lens does not wear out or need replacing with age.
Downloads & further reading
Risks & benefits leaflet
Mr Desai's full patient leaflet on cataract and refractive lens surgery.
Download PDFRoyal College guidance
Independent patient information on refractive lens exchange from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
RCOphth leaflet (PDF)Still have questions?
Nothing here replaces a proper consultation. Bring your questions — the honest answers continue in person.