Eye Surgery Risks: What to Know Before You Go

A quick fact: most eye surgeries succeed, but a small risk can have a big impact. Knowing the likely problems, warning signs, and simple steps to reduce risk helps you make smarter choices and spot trouble fast.

Common risks and what they feel like

Different eye procedures carry different risks. For cataract surgery, serious infection (endophthalmitis) is rare — roughly a few cases per 10,000 surgeries — but it needs urgent care. You might notice increasing pain, worsening vision, redness, or pus. LASIK and PRK often cause dry eye, blurry vision at night, or halos. Most of these symptoms improve over weeks to months, but persistent visual disturbance can last longer in a small number of patients.

Retinal surgery and glaucoma procedures have higher complication rates than surface surgeries. Risks can include retinal detachment, bleeding inside the eye, or increased eye pressure. Those issues usually show up as sudden flashes, many new floaters, a shadow over part of your sight, or severe pain.

How to lower your risk

Start by picking an experienced surgeon and asking direct questions: How many of this exact procedure do you perform each year? What’s your infection and complication rate? Ask about the expected recovery timeline and what medicines you must stop beforehand.

Follow prep instructions exactly. If your doctor tells you to stop blood thinners or supplements like aspirin, fish oil, or vitamin E, discuss it with them first — stopping medicines without guidance can be dangerous. Keep your face and eyes clean before surgery, skip makeup, and arrange safe transport home.

After surgery, use prescribed drops on schedule. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops lower infection and swelling risk. Don’t rub your eyes, avoid swimming pools and hot tubs for at least a week, and skip heavy lifting or bending if your surgeon advises. Wear an eye shield while sleeping if told to do so.

Know the red flags: sudden vision loss, sharp pain, increasing redness, new flashes or many floaters, or fever. Call your surgeon or local emergency service immediately if these happen. Quick treatment can often prevent permanent damage.

Ask about follow-up. Routine checks catch problems early. If you notice small issues — mild irritation or temporary blurriness — note them and bring them up at your appointment. If something feels off and you’re anxious, contact the clinic rather than waiting.

Choosing surgery means weighing benefits against risks. Being informed, preparing well, and following aftercare instructions cut your chances of trouble and help recovery go smoother. If you want, check our site for procedure-specific guides or print a checklist to take to your pre-op visit.