Cataract Surgery Recovery: How to Reduce Recovery Time

Cataract Surgery Aftercare

If you are scheduled for cataract surgery, it is important to know what to expect during the recovery process. Most people do very well after surgery, but there are some things you can do to help ensure a smooth postoperative course.

Your Ophthalmologist will provide you with an aftercare plan as well as any eye drops, bandages or eye shields to protect your eyes are the procedure.

After getting home, you may experience some discomfort in and around your eyes. You will likely want to shorten the cataract surgery recovery process so that you can get back to your normal life

In this guide, we will provide you with a few ways you can either shorten or ease the cataract surgery recovery process so that you can quickly return to normal.

What To Expect After Cataract Surgery

For a few days after your procedure, your eyes will likely feel itchy or sore and you will have an increased sensitivity to bright lights.

Your Eye Doctor should provide you with some eye drops to minimise the risk of infection, but there is still a risk of developing one.

You will be told to rest and minimise eye strain for the next few days, you will also be recommended to avoid bending over, picking anything heavy up or putting any sort of pressure on the eye that was operated on.

You will also be provided with an eye shield to wear whilst you sleep, which may be uncomfortable or irritating to try and sleep with. It must be worn to protect your eye. The eye shield will need to be worn for at least a week, maybe more depending on what your ophthalmologist recommends.

You will be able to shower and wash your hair after the procedure, as long as you keep water, soap/shampoo, hairspray and shaving lotion out of your eye and face, especially for the first 7 days after the surgery.

You may also want to use a pair of scuba-type goggles to protect the eye during washing.

One common issue patients report, but is hardly mentioned online, is that you may struggle to judge distances for a few days after the procedure. This can be dangerous when walking up or downstairs, pouring hot liquids or even just getting around your house.

This should clear up in a few days as you become accustomed to the change and your eye heals.

Ophthalmologists performing cataract surgery on a patient

How Long Will It Take To Recover From Cataract Surgery?

While most patients see an improvement after 3/4 days, it can take some people up to 10 weeks to notice the full change after the procedure. Symptoms usually disappear after a few days, but can sometimes persist over a week or two.

You can usually return to work after 3 days of proper rest. If you have any persistent symptoms after this period, you will need to consult your eye doctor for advice and a timeframe on when you can return.

Your doctor will also advise you on when you will be able to drive again, as you will not be allowed to drive yourself home after your surgery or for the few days following the procedure. Learn more about Cataracts and driving here.

Most patients will fully recover within a few weeks, but you should keep in contact with your ophthalmologist to determine when you can return to normal life and inform them of any changes to your vision.

Tips For A Smooth And Successful Cataract Surgery Recovery

So you’ve had your surgery, made it home and have been recommended to rest while you recover. You will likely have been provided with a bandage, eye patch or eye shield to help keep you from rubbing your eye. You can also be given eye drops to help your eyes heal and keep them moist.

Your sight might be quite blurry for a few days afterwards, so watching TV, walking around your house and reading might be rather difficult. Thankfully, these symptoms usually subside within around 3 days (each person recovers at a different pace).

Here are some tips and general ideas of how long it will take you to recover, as well as ways to avoid irritation and what you can and cannot do after your surgery.

Activities

• It is important that you sleep whenever you feel tired, as getting a lot of sleep can help the recovery process
• You may struggle with depth perception after your procedure, making it difficult to get around. Move slowly and ask for help when you need it. This should clear up after a few days
• Your Eye Doctor will inform you when you should wear your shield or bandage, you may only be required to wear it in your sleep
• You can still shower or wash your hair after your surgery, just make sure that you keep soap, conditioner etc out of your face and eyes for at least the first week.
• Do not rub or put pressure on your eye for at least 1 week
• Avoid wearing eye makeup or makeup around the eye area for 1/2 weeks.
• Avoid face cream or lotion for around 2 weeks after your surgery
• You should avoid getting your hair dyed for at least 10 days
• Try to avoid strenuous activities such as biking, jogging or lifting weights for a minimum of 2 weeks unless your doctor says otherwise
• Avoid Swimming, hot tubs, gardening and dusting for at least 2 weeks
• Wear sunglasses on bright days

Medicines and Prescriptions

• You should avoid taking medicine or any other prescription for a few days before your surgery. Make sure to consult your doctor on this.
• Your doctor will inform you when you can continue taking any of your prescribed medicine or general medicine again, as well as recommendations on any new medicines you may need to take
• Follow the proper instructions for putting in your eye drops and always wash your hands before administering. Proper Instructions are as follows:

1) Tilt your head back, pull your lower eyelid down with one finger

2) Drop the medicine into the lower eyelid (Do not touch the ointment or tip to your eyelashes or any other surface)

3) Close your eyelid for around 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around

What To Do If You Experience Problems During Your Cataract Surgery Recovery

While some side effects are guaranteed and you will struggle for a few days after your procedure, you may experience some more severe side effects in extremely rare circumstances.

Cataract Surgery risks include:

• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Drooping Eyelid
• Dislocation of Artificial Lens
• Retinal Detachment
• Glaucoma
• Secondary Cataract
• Loss of Vision

If you are experiencing any of the conditions above during your cataract surgery recovery, please contact your Ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Your risk of developing complications increases if you already have another eye disease or other serious medical condition.

Cataract Surgery Recovery – Final thoughts

Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can improve your vision. We hope that this article provides an overview of the cataract surgery recovery process and how you can make your aftercare a little easier.

If you are considering cataract surgery, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We would be happy to answer any of your questions.