How long does it take to recover from cataract surgery?
Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
Cataract surgery is a big decision that can have amazing results for your life. You only have one pair of eyes, which makes it super important to choose an experienced doctor and then take the time and patience to heal properly. Furthermore, the healing process will be impacted by how well you prepare for the surgery as well. Let’s get to the details of it all.
How to prep for cataract surgery:
Before cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will measure your eye to determine the correct focusing power for your new intraocular lens. Your eye doctor may ask you to stop taking some of your regular medications before surgery. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops to take prior to your surgery to help prevent infection and reduce swelling caused by the procedure.
It is important to follow the directions given to you by your doctor to a tee. It is also important to make sure you are eating a well balanced diet with whole foods- vegetables, fruits, and lean protein. Making sure to drink lots of water each day helps keep you hydrated which aids in your ability to heal quickly.
It is a good idea to have any household chores in order and a full fridge to make your recovery that much easier. Finding someone to give you a ride home after the surgery is a must as well. You will also want to avoid wearing your contacts for at least three days prior to make sure you do not have any chance at irritating the eyes. Being smart about prepping just like your doctor says will help you have an easy going surgery process and then a smooth recovery.
What do I need to do after my cataract surgery?
After the surgery you will want to follow all of your doctors instructions very carefully. Here are a list of general guidelines you should know:
Use eye drops exactly as prescribed
Avoid getting soap or water directly in the eye.
Do not rub your eye or press on it. Your doctor may require you to wear glasses to protect your eye.
Wear a protective shield during sleep
Refrain from exercise and other activities including driving until your doctor tells you it is safe to resume them.
Generally speaking, we see that most patients will start to see a reduction in side effects in the first few days after surgery. Complete recovery could take up to 4-6 weeks to see all results and healing occur. At this point, you may need a new prescription for your glasses and/or contacts. We do need to wait at least this long to make sure your prescription stabilizes to be able to check and order you the correct lenses. We do not want to do this sooner and risk needing to order you something different, costing more money after you cataract surgery.
Are there any risks to cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery like most surgeries entails risks of problems and complications including:
Eye Infection
Bleeding in the eye
Lingering swelling inside the eye or of the front of the eye
Detached Retina
Damage to other parts of the eye
Pain that does not dissipate with over-the-counter medications
Loss of Vision
Dislocation of the intraocular lens that moves it out of position
Further treatment may be required if your vision becomes cloudy or blurry weeks, months or even years after cataract surgery. You surgeon can perform a laser procedure known as a posterior capsulotomy to restore clear vision once again.
Like any other surgery, there can be complications that are not foreseeable. We will do everything in our power to ensure you are fully prepared, have a successful surgery, and post-op experience. Should you have any questions or concerns, it is always best to speak up and get your answers needed beforehand to ensure you are feeling confident and comfortable throughout the whole process.
