Host: What are the risks involved with cataract surgery?

Dr. Laura D. Cook: Even though cataract surgery is great, now it's very fast, it's quick, it's slick. People go home after surgery, they are not admitted and that there are very small risks associated. It is still surgery and that inherent in any type of surgical procedure, I like to tell patients that there is a risk and that's why, conservatively, I also tell patients that unless it's bothering them or unless if there is some medical indication that they really need to think about whether this is a procedure that they want to undergo. On the flip side, the risks are very small. The most devastating risk is vision loss or blindness from bleeding or infection and that's something that they need to discus with their doctor.