Corneal Ulcers After Cataract Surgery

Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive

Question:
What causes ulcers after a cataract operation?   

Answer:
Corneal ulcers are rare after cataract surgery. A corneal ulcer is an infection of the cornea with thinning and loss of corneal tissue. If a corneal ulcer occurs after cataract surgery, the causes are multiple. Ulcers are associated with a break in the cornea with subsequent bacteria invading the wound leading to tissue loss. If a patient had a history of dry eyes or some corneal dystrophy where the surface cells of the cornea were not held together tightly, then this could pose an increased risk of separation of these cells leading to an ulcer.

Answered by: Robert Melendez, MD

Categories: Cataracts, Eye Surgery

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