[Cataract surgery].

Cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness. Cataract surgery is a highly effective and safe procedure for treating the condition, and - since it is widely considered a refractive intervention, particularly in the developed world - it often leads to excellent visual acuity and spectacle independence. Patients require detailed counselling about the various intraocular lens (IOL) designs and their potential, as well as potentially disturbing optical phenomena, which are more common with multifocal IOLs. There are two highly successful techniques: phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser cataract surgery. The latter offers greater precision and has produced remarkable results, even in complex cases such as advanced cataracts, corneal comorbidities and paediatric cataracts. Using a laser to fragment the lens significantly reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required for subsequent manual removal, or even eliminates the need for ultrasound energy altogether. The most feared complication is endophthalmitis, which requires immediate treatment, while the most common side effect, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), is generally harmless. In uncomplicated cases, the attending ophthalmologist normally recommends 3-4 postoperative check-ups.