Cataract Surgery Recovery: Tips for a Smooth Healing Process

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed eye surgeries around the world, and has helped millions of people see clearly again. With a low risk for complications and most patients achieving 20/20 vision after surgery, you can rest easy knowing you are in good hands with the OCLI Vision team when you choose cataract surgery. However, as with any surgery, to ensure the best outcomes, proper aftercare and recovery should be taken seriously. After all, why invest the time and money into having surgery to fix your cataracts if you are not going to take care of your eyes afterwards?

To help patients navigate the cataract surgery recovery process, we have put together a few  guidelines for ensuring the smoothest recovery. So, read through this article to help you prepare, and then discuss the recovery plan and any additional instructions with your surgeon before surgery. We can’t wait to help you see better! 

What to Expect After Cataract Removal Surgery

Cataract surgery itself is a relatively quick procedure. Your surgeon will ensure your comfort by providing general anesthesia through numbing drops. The surgery will start with an incision in your eye which your surgeon will use to access the cloudy lens. The lens is then broken up and removed, and the new implantable lens placed. Most surgeons today will use a laser to ensure precise results and reduced inflammation. Your surgeon may give you an eye shield or glasses to protect your eyes as you leave the clinic, and to wear for a couple days afterwards.

The day of your surgery, make sure you have read the post-surgery follow-up instructions provided by your surgeon and eye care team, so you know what to expect and can prepare your home and yourself for the next few days. It will be important to have any necessary medications at your home as they may be needed right away.

Immediately after surgery, you may notice some uncomfortable symptoms, including blurry vision, mild discomfort, itching, and sensitivity to light.This is normal and nothing to worry about. You will visit your surgeon for a follow-up appointment a day or two after surgery to ensure your eyes are healing properly. Until then, it is very important to get plenty of rest, use the prescribed eye drops, including steroids, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics for the entire time specified in your aftercare instructions.Remember, you have just undergone a surgery, you should be resting to allow for proper healing during your cataract surgery recovery.

If you are experiencing severe pain, complete vision loss, increased redness, eyelid swelling, or light flashes, call your surgeon right away. They will be able to guide you in next steps to prevent damage to your eyes.

How Long Does It Take to Heal From Cataract Surgery?

Generally, it may take eight weeks to recover from cataract surgery. Here is a quick outline of what to expect during each phase of recovery:

1. The first 24-48 hours: After surgery, you will rest at the clinic for an hour or so to ensure you are not experiencing any adverse reactions or an increase in eye pressure. Once you get home, rest and avoid straining your eyes by working or watching tv. It’s best to sleep as much as possible, eat nutritious, whole foods, and avoid working out or moving around too much. Showering and washing hair after cataract surgery should not be a problem as long as you are careful not to get water, soap, or shampoo in your eyes after surgery.
2. One week: During this time you should not be lifting objects heavier than 10lbs, running, doing chores, or anything else that may cause pressure to build in the eyes. Your surgeon may also give you a shield to wear at night and during the first few days to ensure you do not poke or damage your eyes. Do not drive as your vision may still be blurry, creating a hazard for you and other drivers.
3. One month post-surgery: As you move into the final healing phase you will notice your vision getting clearer, colors appearing more vivid, and your eyes starting to feel normal again. Do not be afraid to read and use the computer as long as you are not experiencing pain or excessive eye strain. You will also have another follow-up appointment with your surgeon at this stage.

Restrictions After Cataract Surgery

When recovering from surgery of any kind, there are things you can do to give your body the best chance of making a full recovery and preventing illness or infection. Take into account some of the following healthy tips and restrictions after cataract surgery:

• Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E. You body will be working extra hard to heal your eyes and adjust to the new lens. When you give it plenty of vitamins and minerals, it can accomplish that goal much faster and efficiently. Staying hydrated with electrolytes will also help ensure proper healing.
• Prioritize sleep to speed tissue repair. One of the best things you can do for your overall health, especially post-surgery, is to get high-quality, sufficient sleep. It can be a game changer for mood, physical health, and so much more.
• Keep all your appointments! You must go back and meet with your surgeon to ensure that everything is fine with your recovery. There are certain conditions or infections that may only be obvious to a trained professional. So, keep all appointments, no matter how healthy you feel.
• Follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully. Be sure to follow your surgeons advice, and if you don’t understand or agree with something, discuss it with them.
• Monitor symptoms closely and report anything unusual. Err on the side of caution and always tell your surgeon when things do not feel right. You are the best judge of what is normal for you, so do not be afraid to advocate for yourself.

When to Contact Your Eye Doctor

It can be tricky to know if you need to contact your eye doctor or not after surgery. However, your vision and pain should only be getting better after surgery, not worse. If you experience any of the following scenarios, it’s best to contact your surgeon and they can confirm if you should come back into the clinic or if you can wait at home:

• Sharp or severe eye pain that gets worse. After a few days, you should not be experiencing eye pain. If the pain gets worse or does not go away, be sure to contact your surgeon.
• Sudden loss of sight or a drop in clarity. This may be hard to determine right away since everything may appear blurry for awhile, but your eye sight should get better after surgery, not worse. 
• Seeing flashes of light or an increase in floaters in your vision
• Swelling of the eye lids or out part of the eye that gets worse
• If you poke, injure, or touch the eye, be sure to get in to see your eye doctor right away! Touching your eye or sustaining damage can cause an infection, prevent the new lens from healing, and damage important parts of the eye.

The eye care team at OCLI Vision is here to answer any questions you may have about cataract surgery recovery, such as: Do cataracts come back? How soon can you drive after cataract surgery? If you would like to schedule a regular eye exam, you can schedule online or call the nearest provider.

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