The process of removing a cataract is called extracapsular lens extraction. After this process, an outer membrane lens capsule often remains. This membrane can slowly thicken and cloud vision. Cataract surgery is suggested when a person's vision has declined to the point where it interferes with their usual daily tasks. If a cataract develops in a part of the eye lens where it does not affect vision, cataract surgery may never be needed.
Cataract surgery can cause a change in the eye's pressure.
This change may be short-term or permanent. In general, it is not possible to predict whether the IOP will rise, fall or stay the same after cataract surgery. Often these pressure spikes are short-term and can be treated with medicines. The first priority is to control the person's glaucoma. A person may have a glaucoma procedure followed by cataract surgery, or have both surgeries done at the same time.