We’re aware that even though it’s done many times, for the individual it certainly isn’t routine. One aspect that many people worry about is the recovery period. While this tends to be short, with good results experienced within a few days, it pays to be aware of what to expect. There are also many things you can do (or not do) that will help to minimize the recovery time.
Following both traditional and laser cataract surgery, the recovery period is generally short. An uncomplicated procedure takes around 10 minutes to perform, followed by around 30-60 minutes in the recovery room. Once you’re over the worst of the sedation, you’ll be allowed to go home. A pad and plastic shield will be in place to protect the treated eye. This should be left in place for the first few hours and replaced while you sleep, for at least a few days. Your surgeon will advise you of the exact time period. You won’t be able to drive straight away, so you will need a friend or family member to take you home.
You may want to sleep on your return home. It’s important not to undertake any exercise or strenuous activity. The feeling should start to return to the eye within a few hours of surgery. However, your vision may not yet fully return.
You will most likely have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon during this period to check that there are no complications, and the healing process is progressing as expected. You’ll have been given eye drops when you left the clinic. These help reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and stimulate the healing process. As long as you feel able to, it’s OK to resume driving.
Your eye will gradually adapt to the new lens and any side effects should slowly improve and eventually disappear completely. If you need new glasses, then once the healing process is complete—at around the 6-week mark—you’ll be able to have an eye test and order your new prescription.
The healing process should be complete, and you can resume all your usual activities.
It’s normal to experience a slight stickiness to the eye for the first 2 weeks. Most people find they need to clean the eye a couple of times a day after surgery. This can be done using pre-boiled water that is cooled. Be sure to wash your hands before cleaning the eye to prevent introducing an infection. Dip a ball of absorbent cotton into the water and gently wipe it across the eye from the nose to the outer corner of the eye. Don’t press while doing so and don’t wipe inside the eye.
It’s normal to experience some symptoms for the first few days following surgery such as blurred vision, grittiness, redness, or double vision. These tend to gradually improve within the first few days, however, be aware that, in some cases, this can take up to 6 weeks to fully rectify.It’s rare for complications to occur after cataract surgery, however, if you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your eye doctor without delay: Increasing pain and/or redness within the eye, decreasing vision. This is different from the redness or bloodshot appearance that is normal following surgery, that reduces gradually over the following days. If you are concerned about any symptoms or any are getting worse, rather than better, then you should alert your eye clinic straight away. The good news is that, for most patients, the procedure is a minor inconvenience and recovery is complete within a few weeks. The resulting clearer vision can be quite dramatic for many, leading to a much-improved quality of life.
Recovery is generally short, with many people noticing good results within a few days. The eye continues to heal over the following weeks: side effects gradually ease, and by around the six-week mark the healing process is usually complete and you can resume all your normal activities. If you need new glasses, an eye test is typically done once healing finishes.
An uncomplicated procedure takes only minutes, followed by a short spell in the recovery room before you go home. You will not be able to drive, so arrange a ride. A pad and plastic shield protect the eye and should stay in place for the first few hours. Plan to rest and avoid exercise; feeling returns to the eye within a few hours, though vision may not fully clear yet.
You cannot drive straight after surgery, as your vision needs time to meet the legal standard. For some people that happens as soon as 24 hours later, while for others it takes several days or even weeks, especially if new glasses are needed. Night driving can take longer because of glare and halos. Your surgeon will confirm when it is safe for you.
The eye shield protects the eye and, importantly, stops you rubbing it while you sleep. In general you will wear it for up to a week, especially at night, though your surgeon will give you exact guidance. Keeping it on overnight is the single most important instruction, since it guards the eye during the delicate early healing period.
The main rule is to keep water, soap, and shampoo out of the eye. For the first three or four days it is best to avoid a full shower or washing your hair, since the force of the water and bending your head forward can both cause problems. A bath, or washing with your head tipped back, works well until your surgeon says a normal shower is fine.
Gentle walking is encouraged within the first day or two, as light movement promotes healing. For the first week, avoid bending from the waist, lifting anything heavier than about ten pounds, and strenuous exercise, all of which raise pressure in the eye. More active exercise can usually resume around weeks two to three, and full activity by weeks four to six, once your surgeon approves.
In general you should avoid eye makeup such as eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara for at least four weeks after surgery. This gives the delicate tissues time to heal and lowers the risk of introducing bacteria and infection. The exact timing depends on how you heal, so if you are unsure it is best to wait and check with your surgeon rather than rush.
Some redness, grittiness, and blurred vision are normal early on and gradually improve. But you should contact your eye doctor without delay if you have increasing pain or redness in the eye, or your vision is getting worse rather than better. These are different from the mild, fading soreness of normal healing, and prompt attention matters if anything seems to be worsening.
