What to Expect During Cataract Surgery Recovery

Millions of people undergo successful cataract surgery every year. It’s a safe, effective procedure that can drastically improve your vision, and the recovery process is generally fast and simple. There should be minimal discomfort or pain.

Most people can return to their normal activities within a few days. A little bit of prepping and a good few days of rest after your procedure will make recovery go as smoothly as possible. 

Here’s what to expect after cataract surgery and how you can set yourself up for success during your recovery.

Tips for Your Best Cataract Surgery Recovery

1. 1. Stay hydrated before and after the procedure: Water is very important for your body when it’s healing, and you should make sure to stay hydrated before and after any surgical procedure. Additionally, after cataract surgery, your eyes may feel drier than normal, and drinking water can help keep your eyes moist.
   2. Prepare meals before surgery: Preparing meals ahead of time is a great way to make sure you can rest properly after surgery. Since you should be avoiding strenuous activity and protecting your eyes, cooking right after cataract surgery is not ideal.
   3. Take a few days off of work: Most people can return to work a few days after surgery, but it’s best to give yourself at least a few days to focus on your recovery. At the very least, don’t plan to return to work the same day as your procedure. Your eyes will be sensitive and may feel irritated or uncomfortable. You won’t be able to drive right away, so make sure you have someone available to drive you home after the procedure.
   4. Take eye drops as prescribed: Taking eye drops as directed is essential to your recovery after cataract surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe two types of eye drops: antibiotic eye drops to help prevent any infections, and anti-inflammatory eye drops to help reduce inflammation after your procedure. 
   5. Avoid strenuous activities: Don’t exercise or do any strenuous activities for a few weeks after your procedure. Avoid bending over right after surgery. Strenuous activity, like heavy lifting, can raise your intraocular pressure (IOP) or eye pressure. This can lead to complications like retinal detachment, dislocation of the new lens that was implanted, corneal swelling, and fluid buildup in the eye. Ask your surgeon for a specific timeline on when you can return to your normal activities, including intense exercise.
   6. Avoid swimming: Don’t swim in pools, oceans, lakes, hot tubs, or any other body of water for at least a month after your surgery. Your eyes will be more vulnerable to infections after your procedure, and all bodies of water are filled with various types of bacteria.
   7. Don’t rub your eyes: You should never rub your eyes because your hands can introduce bacteria to your eyes and lead to infection. Chronic eye rubbing can also lead to corneal issues. It’s even more important to avoid rubbing your eyes after cataract surgery because doing so could damage the fragile flap that is created during the procedure. Damaging this flap can lead to complications. If your eyes feel irritated after your procedure, using artificial tears can help.
   8. Wear a protective eye shield: After surgery, your surgeon will place a protective shield over your eye. Ask them when you are able to remove this shield. You should still wear it at night while sleeping or during naps for several days after your procedure.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Problems after cataract surgery are rare, but as with any surgery, there can be complications. 

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your surgeon right away:

• Severe or worsening eye pain, redness, or swelling
• Crusting or mucous discharge around your eye
• Worsening vision or vision loss
• Flashes or a sudden increase in floaters
• Sudden increased light sensitivity

How Long Is the Recovery for Cataract Surgery?

In most cases, full recovery from cataract surgery takes four weeks. However, most people notice improvement in their vision within a few days. Remember that everyone is different, and don’t worry if you don’t notice drastic improvements right away.

Different factors can influence your healing process, including:

• Age
• Overall health
• The severity of the cataract
• Pre-existing conditions
• The type of cataract surgery performed

There should be little to no pain or discomfort during your recovery. Make sure to attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress and check that your eyes are healing properly.

Cataract Surgery Options

During cataract surgery, also called intraocular lens implant surgery, your surgeon removes the diseased, cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial, intraocular lens (IOL) to improve your vision. 

Leading-edge laser cataract surgery options allow you to choose a customized IOL to address astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

Traditional cataract surgery uses monofocal lenses, which provide clear distance vision.

Laser Cataract Surgery

During laser cataract surgery procedures, surgeons use FDA-approved custom lasers to create precise incisions instead of creating them by hand.

Bladeless Laser Refractive Cataract Surgery

Bladeless laser cataract surgery is performed using a LenSx® femtosecond laser, which significantly improves the precision of the procedure and allows your surgeon to customize it to your vision needs.

The femtosecond laser performs many of the steps that surgeons traditionally performed by hand. This translates to better lens positioning, less trauma to the eye, and better, more personalized results.

ORA Cataract Surgery

ORA cataract surgery is another precise, customizable option that is especially useful for patients who have difficult lens calculations, such as patients who had LASIK and now require cataract surgery.

The procedure uses an intraoperative wavefront technology that allows your surgeon to take nearly 40 measurements in seconds. These measurements are used to customize the lens power and can provide better outcomes for many patients.

Traditional Cataract Surgery

Traditional cataract surgery uses a no-stitch incision. This procedure cannot be customized in the same way as laser cataract surgery options, but it is a safe and effective procedure.

Get a Cataract Surgery Consultation at Specialty Eye Institute

If you’re dealing with vision challenges because of cataracts, cataract surgery might be right for you. In addition to clearing your vision, custom cataract surgery can reduce your reliance on glasses and contacts by addressing astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

The expert eye surgeons at Specialty Eye Institute can examine your eyes and recommend the best procedure for your needs. We also treat glaucoma and other eye conditions using the latest technology, including laser surgery.

Schedule your appointment today.