Cataract Surgery: What to Expect After the Procedure

Cataract refers to the clouding of the lens of your eyes. People with cataracts often experience difficulty in reading, driving, and seeing facial expressions. They describe the condition as seeing through a fogged-up or frosty window. If you are at high risk for developing cataracts, you must get regular eye exams. It’s because most cataracts don’t have early signs but when detected early, you can keep them from affecting your vision. The most common treatment for this eye condition is surgery.

Learn what you should expect after cataract surgery and get tips on improving recovery time from a local contact eye exam provider.

What Causes Cataracts?

Aging and injury changes are two of the most common causes of cataracts. Genetics play a role as well when it comes to your risk of developing this eye condition. People with health conditions, such as diabetes, are also at higher risk of cataracts. Previous eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medications can also contribute to the development of cataracts.

Cataracts form in the lens of your eyes, which is found behind the iris. The lens focuses light that penetrates your eyes, which creates clear, sharp images on the retina, the light-sensitive membrane of the eye. The older you get, the less flexible and transparent the lens in your eyes becomes. Age-related conditions and other medical issues can cause the tissues in the lens to deteriorate and clump together, resulting in the clouding of small areas within the lens.

As the eye condition progresses, the clouding turns denser and affects a larger area of the lens. It scatters and blocks the light as it reaches the lens, meaning the image that reaches the retina is not clear. It’s common for people with cataracts to experience blurred vision.

When Do You Need a Cataract Surgery?

An eye specialist can determine if surgery is the ideal treatment for you. Eye doctors usually recommend cataract surgery when cataracts affect the quality of life of the patient. If your cataracts are making it difficult for you to accomplish simple tasks like reading or driving at night, that’s when they will recommend surgery.

Only you and your eye doctor can decide when the surgery is ideal for you. Typically, you don’t immediately need to schedule the surgery because cataracts don’t harm the eye. However, they can progress faster in people with diabetes.

Delaying the surgery won’t affect how fast your vision will recover if you decide to do it later. Discuss the pros and risks of cataract surgery with your eye care specialist. After the procedure, your eye doctor may recommend getting follow-up exams to determine if your cataracts are progressing. When you need to go to the eye clinic depends on your case and eye doctor.

What Should You Expect During and After Surgery?

During the Cataract Surgery

The clouded lens will be removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens during the cataract surgery. The artificial or intraocular lens is placed at the same position as your natural lens. It then stays as a permanent part of your eye. Sometimes, artificial lenses can’t be used on some people with other eye problems. If this is the case, eyeglasses or contact lenses may be used to correct the vision.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you won’t need to stay in the hospital after. During the surgery, your eye doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the eye. However, patients are typically awake during the surgery. Don’t worry because the procedure is generally safe but comes with a risk of infection and bleeding. Another risk that it carries is retinal detachment. It’s normal to feel discomfort a few days after the surgery, and healing should occur within eight weeks.

After the Procedure

A few hours after the surgery, the feeling in your eyes should start to return. It could take a few days for your vision to return completely. People who undergo cataract surgery may experience blurred vision, double vision, and red eyes. It’s also usual to have some grittiness and watering in the eye. Within a few hours after the surgery, you should be able to do light activities, such as watching tv, showering or bathing, and computer work.

These symptoms should start to disappear within a few days, but it could take from four to six weeks to completely recover. You’ll only be able to get new glasses once your eyes have fully healed, which is usually past six weeks. The success rate of cataract surgery in improving your vision is high. Past studies show that nearly 96 percent of eyes that had no other issues before the procedure got at least 20/40 uncorrected distance visual acuity. You can legally drive without eyeglasses or contact lenses with this visual acuity.

Once you are healed, you can get back to doing your daily activities, such as driving. Moreover, you should see your eye doctor if you are experiencing increased pain, increased stickiness, and poor vision.

Cataract Aftercare: Dos and Don’ts

Do’s

Always use the eye drops that your doctor prescribed as instructed. Unless your eye doctor says so, you should start using your drops the morning after the surgery. You should only use the eye drops on the operated eye. Do wash your hands before handling the eye drops, and don’t discontinue unless advised by your eye specialist. Keep in mind that only you should use these eye drops. During your follow-up checkup, which is typically one to four weeks post-surgery, your eye doctor will give further instruction about your eye drop use.

Don’t do any strenuous activities for the first two to three days after the surgery. Wear your eye shield at night for at least one week and take painkillers if necessary. When washing your hair, wear your eye shield. If you are going outside, make sure to use your shield, old glasses, or sunglasses. It’s not advisable to swim for four to six weeks after your surgery.

Boil some water and let it cool for cleaning your eyes. After this, wash your hands and then dip cotton wool or clean gauze in the cooled boiled water. Wipe from near your nose to the outside corner of your eye in a gentle manner. Avoid wiping inside your eyes, and don’t wash them with water. As much as possible, don’t press on your eyes. You may need to clean your eyes twice a day during the first two weeks after the surgery because the drops and healing process can make your eyes feel sticky.

Don’ts

After surgery, do not rub your eye or let soap or shampoo get into your eye. Only start driving again once you get a go signal from your eye doctor. Any high-intensity exercises and physically demanding activities must be avoided. It could at least a full month for your eyes to recover, so it’s best to not do strenuous activities during this period.

Don’t wear eye makeup for at least four weeks after surgery or until your eye doctor says so. Avoid activities that expose your eyes to dirt or dust. Dust and sand particles can scratch the surface of your eyes and make them more vulnerable to infection. It may also not be a good idea to fly without consulting your eye doctor.