Can You Have Cataract Surgery More Than Once? Insight Into Repeat Treatment & Secondary Cataracts

If you’ve had cataract surgery in the past, but are noticing vision changes years later, your first thought might be, “Can you have cataract surgery more than once?” The short answer is no – cataracts don’t “grow back” once your clouded lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). However, certain conditions, like secondary cataracts, can mimic recurrence and require follow-up care with a cataract surgeon. At Best Cataract Surgeons, we’re committed to guiding you through these nuances with clarity and compassion; let’s explore what you need to know.

What Are Cataracts and How Does Surgery Work?

Cataracts develop when your eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, which happens over time as proteins in the lens break down and clump together, causing blurred vision and glare sensitivity. During cataract surgery, this lens is removed and replaced with a clear, artificial IOL that’s tailored to your vision, such as a monofocal for vision at one distance, a multifocal for clear vision at all distances, or a toric IOL to correct astigmatism. Let’s take a look at the process of cataract surgery:

1. Preoperative Evaluation and Measurements. Before surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive eye exam and take precise measurements of your eye—such as its length and the curvature of your cornea—to determine the correct power for your intraocular lens (IOL). This ensures your new lens is tailored to your vision needs, whether you require a monofocal, multifocal, or toric lens.
2. Removal of the Clouded Lens and IOL Implantation. During surgery, a tiny incision is made in the eye, typically at the edge of the cornea. The surgeon uses ultrasound energy (phacoemulsification) to break up and remove the cloudy lens. In some cases, a femtosecond laser may be used as an adjunct to assist with certain steps, such as making incisions or softening the lens, but ultrasound is always required to remove the lens material. Once the cataract is removed, the artificial lens (IOL) is inserted and positioned securely within the lens capsule.
3. Recovery and Follow-Up Care. Most patients notice significant improvement in vision within a few days following surgery. Complete healing typically occurs within four to eight weeks, during which your surgeon will monitor your recovery and ensure your vision is stabilizing as expected.

Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures in medicine. As many as 95% of patients achieve a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better after surgery—a level of vision sufficient for driving in most states. Serious complications are very rare, occurring in less than 0.5% of cases. This exceptional safety and effectiveness are why cataract surgery is trusted by millions of patients each year.

If you’d like to learn more about what to expect during your recovery, visit our Emerging From Cloudy Vision – Recovery and Healing post.

Can Cataract Surgery Be Performed Twice?

Since the natural lens is permanently removed during surgery, cataracts cannot regrow, and therefore, you can’t have cataract surgery performed more than once. However, there may be rare cases where follow-up procedures are needed:

• The IOL might need to be repositioned if it shifts post-surgery.
• You may choose to upgrade or change your artificial lens to a newer design.
• You may need refractive error corrections to manage residual vision challenges.

In summary, while an artificial lens can be replaced more than once, this is not due to a recurrence of a natural cataract.

Secondary Cataracts (PCO) – Understanding a Common Post-Surgical Issue

After cataract surgery, most patients enjoy clearer vision for many years. However, in some cases, vision may become cloudy again months or even years after the procedure. This is most often due to a condition called posterior capsule opacification (PCO), sometimes referred to as a “secondary cataract.” PCO isn’t a return of the original cataract; rather, it’s a common and treatable after-effect of cataract surgery that can cause symptoms similar to the initial lens clouding.

What Causes Secondary Cataracts?

A secondary cataract occurs when leftover cells from your natural lens start to grow and change after cataract surgery. These cells multiply, move around, and transform, eventually forming a thin, cloudy layer at the back of the capsule that holds your new artificial lens. This cloudy layer can block light from reaching your retina, causing your vision to become blurry or hazy over time.

What’s The Treatment For Secondary Cataracts?

The standard treatment for PCO is a YAG laser capsulotomy, a quick and non-invasive procedure typically performed in your ophthalmologist’s office. During this 5-minute procedure:

• Your eye is numbed with eye drops.
• A special YAG laser creates a small opening in the cloudy posterior capsule.
• This opening allows light to pass through clearly to the retina, restoring your vision.

Most patients experience improved vision within 24 hours of the procedure. The great thing here is that this treatment only needs to be performed once, as a secondary cataract cannot recur after a capsulotomy.

Enjoy Your Life More With a Clearer Vision

Cataract surgery is a lifelong solution to cloudy vision, and while you typically can’t have cataract surgery more than once, secondary issues like PCO or IOL adjustments may require follow-up care. At Best Cataract Surgeons, we are dedicated to providing educational resources on modern cataract surgery and connecting patients to top-rated surgeons equipped for any scenario. Use our Find a Surgeon tool to book a consultation with a cataract specialist near you and start on the clear path to better vision and brighter life moments.