Floaters After Cataract Surgery

Floaters after cataract surgery are a fairly common problem. Many times
patients will complain of dozens of black floaters that seem to appear as
specks of dust, some larger and some smaller. They may have a tendency to
move or drift with your vision as you look to the right and left. Others
describe eye floaters after cataract surgery as looking like
black spiderwebs.

In many cases patients actually have eye floaters before cataract surgery,
but are not aware of them because the cataract is cloudy and blocks the
recognition of a floater. Once the cataract is removed the floaters may
become much more noticeable.

The good news about floaters after cataract surgery is that they are
usually normal and have a tendency to disappear with time.

Following a cataract procedure, floaters may be a cause for concern
because in some instances they may represent a sign of a tear in the
retina or a hole in the retina. This could possibly lead to a retinal
detachment if not properly diagnosed or treated appropriately.

Therefore, most patients who develop floaters after eye surgery, and
especially after cataract surgery, should have their eyes examined by
their cataract surgeon or another qualified eye doctor. This eye exam will
require a careful evaluation of the retina to rule out a retinal problem
such as a retinal tear or hole in the retina. Your eye doctor will dilate
your pupils in order to examine the retina carefully.

Generally, if the retina is normal without any holes or tears, the
floaters will fade with time. It can take weeks or months for the eye
floaters to fade after cataract surgery. And in some cases the floaters do
not go away completely.

Important warning signs of a retinal detachment are a sudden onset of
flashing lights, a large increase in the number or size of floaters, or a
curtain or shade coming down and blocking your vision. If any of these
symptoms develop then you need to see your eye doctor immediately for a
comprehensive eye examination.