How Long is the Cataract Surgery Recovery Time?
August 15, 2024
When you need cataract surgery, it's understandable to want to move ahead as swiftly as possible. Cataract surgery is the only way to reverse the vision changes from cataracts, and most people are excited to have clear vision again.
However, full recovery from cataract surgery can take some time. It's important to understand what the recovery timeline is like before cataract surgery so you can plan ahead.
Keep reading to learn how long cataract surgery recovery is and what happens during cataract surgery recovery!
What Is Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts are a clouding that appears in the crystalline natural lens of the eyes. They're usually age-related.
They happen when the proteins that make up the lens break down and form clumps. The clumps are opaque or discolored and prevent light from passing through the lens to the retina.
Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the clouded lens and replace it with a clear, corrective artificial lens. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes place in your eye doctor's office.
Before cataract surgery, your eye doctor will administer numbing drops to your eyes so you won't feel anything except mild pressure. Your eye doctor will then use specialized tools to remove the cataract-affected lens.
They will place the replacement lens in the pouch where the natural lens sits and adjust it so it sits correctly. The whole procedure usually takes less than thirty minutes.
Schedule a Cataract Evaluation
Short-Term Recovery from Cataract Surgery
After cataract surgery, your eye doctor will monitor your eyes for a while to ensure there is no unusual swelling or a rise in eye pressure. You will be able to go home once that waiting period is over.
You should arrange for a friend or family member to give you a ride since your will not be allowed to drive. You will need to wear an eye shield for the rest of the day and overnight for several days after cataract surgery.
The eye shield prevents you from touching or rubbing your eye. You will go home with prescription eye drops to prevent infection.
During the first few days after cataract surgery, you might experience blurry vision, watery eyes, and redness. Your eyes might also feel scratchy, uncomfortable, or sensitive to light.
This usually gets better within a day or two. If you feel up to it, you can read, watch TV, and use a computer after cataract surgery.
Take frequent breaks to let your eyes rest and stop if your eyes feel too tired or strained. Wear sunglasses when you go outdoors to protect your eyes from glare.
Your eye doctor will want to see you the day after surgery to check your recovery. After that, they will tell you when you can resume activities like non-strenuous work, household chores, and driving.
Longer-Term Recovery from Cataract Surgery
You will need to avoid certain activities for several weeks, including:
- Swimming
- Exercise
- Bending over
- Lifting heavy objects
- Touching or rubbing your eye
- Wearing eye makeup
You should continue using any eye drops according to your doctor's instructions. If you notice new or worsening pain, new or worsening vision changes, or discharge from your eyes, contact your eye doctor right away.
This could be the sign of an infection. You'll have some vision improvement right away, but it can take three to ten weeks for the full results to be noticeable.
Your vision will keep changing during that time. You may need new glasses or contacts, but you'll need to wait at least six weeks to order them.
When to Call Your Eye Doctor
After cataract surgery, there is a small risk of more serious side effects, including infection, which can slow down your recovery. You should call your eye doctor right away if you notice unusual symptoms, such as:
- New or worsening eye pain or redness
- Discharge or crusting around the eye
- Changes to your vision
- New or worsening eye floaters or flashes in your field of vision
Schedule a Cataract Evaluation
What Are Secondary Cataracts?
After cataract surgery, some people develop a condition called posterior capsular opacification (PCO). The pouch that holds the lens becomes cloudy and cause vision issues similar to trie cataracts.
This can happen any time after cataract surgery. It's sometimes called secondary cataracts, but they affect the tissue around the new lens, not the lens itself.
Your eye doctor can treat PCO with a simple in-office procedure. They will use a laser to make a tiny opening in the tissue around the lens, which immediately clears your vision. It takes less than five minutes.
Do you have questions about cataract surgery and what the recovery process is like? Schedule an appointment at Carroll Vision Center in Westminster, MD, and Chevy Chase, MD, to learn more!