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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.
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.
