Cataract Surgery Recovery

cataract_surgery_recovery

Cataract surgery is widely accepted as one of the safest and most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world. In fact, over 3 million procedures are performed each year in the United States alone. Cataract surgery recovery is often very brief, with most patients returning to normal activities within days of surgery. Complications are rare, and significant complications occur in less than one percent of cases. During your recovery, it is important to follow your ophthalmologist's instructions closely, and contact your doctor if you experience any changes to your vision.

After Surgery

The cataract surgery procedure is quick, and can usually be accomplished in approximately 10 minutes. Immediately afterwards, you will rest in a recovery area while you are monitored by your doctor. The time spent in the recovery area will vary depending on whether sedation or a local anesthetic was used, but typically ranges from 30 minutes to an hour.

Following your cataract surgery, you will need to be driven home because your vision will be impaired. Most patients only experience minimal discomfort after cataract surgery, and they may also encounter some mild redness or a sensation of itchiness in the affected eye. It is recommended that you rest for the remainder of the day to promote healing.

Recovery

During your cataract surgery recovery, it important to:

  • Use prescribed eye drops. Your ophthalmologist will order a series of eye drops designed to control any post-operative inflammation inside the eye, and to control intraocular pressure.
  • Use a protective shield. During the first week following surgery, it is especially important to avoid bumping or scratching your eye at night, which is why your ophthalmologist will provide you with a protective shield to wear over your eye as you sleep.
  • Wear sunglasses. Because your eyes may be especially sensitive to light and glare during the days immediately following your procedure, it is important to protect them from sunlight. If possible, choose a pair with high levels of UVA/UVB protection.
  • Keep the eye area clean. To avoid exposing your healing eye to bacteria, your ophthalmologist will likely recommend avoiding eye makeup for the week following your cataract surgery.
  • Avoid heavy lifting. As your eye heals, avoid strenuous physical activity, including lifting heavy objects, which can increase your intraocular pressure.

The day after cataract surgery, your surgeon will likely perform a post-operative exam to ensure that the eye is healing properly. Additional appointments will also be made for the following week, and the following month.

Results

The vast majority of patients who undergo cataract surgery report excellent results. Not only do patients enjoy much clearer vision after cataract surgery, they are no longer plagued by the blurriness and halos that are common symptoms of cataracts.

The cataract surgery recovery period is generally short, requiring about two to six weeks for the eye to heal. Some patients experience improved vision the day of cataract surgery, while others may need to wait about a week before clear visual results become noticeable. Cataract surgery usually changes a patient's corrective prescription needs, so most people do not achieve optimal vision correction until they receive new eyeglasses.

Complications

Cataract surgery is generally considered to be safe and effective. As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks associated with the procedure. The following cataract surgery complications may occur following treatment:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • High pressure in the eye
  • Lens displacement
  • Retinal detachment
  • Swelling of the cornea
  • Secondary cataracts (posterior capsule opacity)

Most of these cataract surgery complications are very rare. Discussing treatment with a qualified ophthalmologist ahead of time and following the doctor's recommendations may reduce the risk of cataract surgery complications. Most patients report favorable cataract surgery results, including improved vision.

Find a Cataract Surgeon in Your Area

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts and would like to learn more about your options, use our directory to contact a surgeon in your area. He or she will be able to answer any questions you may have about cataract surgery results, recovery, and possible cataract surgery complications.

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Comments

1

if I have a runny nose and not coughing, is it okay to go ahead w/caaract surgery? I'm not really coughing--just blowing nose?
thanks

JoAnn
about 1 year ago

2

My dad had this operation 3days a go and just has 10 percents of his vision back.I am so worry !!! please let me know what i have to do?

Emma
12 months ago

3

I have cataract surgery scheduled in a month. I am a VERY SLOW healer and wonder if this will impede the healing of the cataract surgery.
Lynn

Lynn
12 months ago

4

I have swelling in my legs and feet. can this be from the meds?

barbara jean ketchum
11 months ago

5

I had cataract surgery Dec. 1. Everything seems like it has gone well; however, yesterday the left half of my eye is bright red (bloodshot). Anything to worry about?

Darlene
11 months ago

6

My mom just had her cataract removed, and has changed from short sighted to long sighted, meaning where before she couldnt read, now she cannot drive.
does anyone know if this is normal.

debbie
11 months ago

7

cataract fragments left in the eye after surgery.Is this dangerous?

Robert Tighe
11 months ago

8

Hi,

My Father is going to do cataract surgery. Let me know the difference between AFL and MIL lenses.

Thanks,
Ravi.P

Ravi
11 months ago

9

Hi I had a cataract operation 2 months ago in my right eye, i still feel there is a glass lens feel very artificial and discomfort all the time. Ive also had a glucoma operation 15 years ago.
Kindly recommend
Thanx
Tripat

TRIPAT
11 months ago

10

How soon after surgery can you start taking Cialis again ?

Max
10 months ago

11

my eye has watered ever since i had my cateract operation over 2 years ago now it has started stinging and my sister says the eye doesnt look same as other ihad my other eye done 5 years ago that is fine.

val shaw
10 months ago

12

I am a 55 year old woman. Just had my second cataract surgery last week. Very successful outcome both times. It is like a whole new world! I can see 20/20 without glasses for distance and wear reading glasses for close work. Still using drops for the next few weeks and will probably wear an eye patch at night for a couple more days. I couldn't be more pleased with my new vision.

Beth
9 months ago

13

My cataract surgery was on Tuesday for my right eye. I don't know if I should be wearing my current bi-focal glasses, no glasses, or taking the right lense out. Either way my vision is blurred and I feel dizzy. What is the best option? Thank

Trudy Martens
8 months ago

14

I was told NOT to touch anywhere around my eye after my cataract surgery last week. What is the reason for that and what if I have touched around my eye since the surgery?

Mart
8 months ago

15

I was told NOT to touch anywhere around my eye after my cataract surgery last week. What is the reason for that and what if I have touched around my eye since the surgery?

Mart
8 months ago

16

Dempsey slocum
stingray44@msn.com

I had Cataract surgery with lens implant 8 days ago. I still do not have my vision back as good or better than before the surgery. My doctor assures me that everything will be allright, but I'm still very concerned that I'll not get my vision back at all.
What should I do?

Dempsey Slocum
8 months ago

17

how about bending over after surgery and how low.
like brushing teeth?

rugero aiudi
7 months ago

18

I had cataract surgery on both eyes , one june 2010 and the other july 2010. Eyesite improved but I get floaters or clouds thru. both eyes every so often. Do you have any ideas what this could be? thanks

Lorraine
3 months ago

19

Had cateract surgery on Oct. 5 2011 this is Oct. 10. My vision is worse than before the surgery. The Dr. had trouble putting in the lens as there was complications from a previous Macular Pucker surgery. I am worried. What should I expect. I have a Dr's appointment on Wednesday. Harriet Gallen

Harriet Gallen
3 months ago

20

I had cateract surgery two days ago and have cloudy vision. Is that normal and if so, how long will it take to get clear vision back?

Betty Kollender
about 1 month ago

21

my husband has cataract due to his diabetic , i want to ask if after the operation he still can sing? lets say after 3 months?

rosalinda cruz
25 days ago

22

I had two surgeries one eye has improved the other has no change in vision. Has anyone ever had this occur-my local doctor said he has never seen this

Joan
less than a minute ago

Thank you for your comment







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