Cataract Surgery: Recovery
Recovering from Cataract Surgery: What to Expect
Like most surgical procedures, recovering from cataract surgery requires you to take some time to rest and recuperate following the procedure. But the recovery is relatively fast and you should be back to all of your normal activities within a day or two.
To find out if you are a candidate for cataract surgery in Kansas City and to learn more about the recovery process, please call Silverstein Eye Centers at 816-358-3600.
What Happens Immediately After Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is completed fairly quickly and afterward, you’ll take some time to recover in our office. You must have someone to drive you home after the procedure. You should also expect to wear sunglasses on the ride home and anytime you go outside that day; your eyes will be quite sensitive to the light.
We will provide you with a protective eye shield. You must wear this eye shield when you nap and when you go to sleep at night. The shield prevents scratching and other injuries to your eye as it heals.
Starting immediately after cataract surgery and extending into the next day or two, the following is a normal part of what to expect:
- Distorted or wavy vision
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Eye redness and irritation
- Itching sensation in your eye
- Mild discomfort
As your eye heals and your ocular system adjusts to the lens implant, your vision will gradually improve. Even though your eye may feel itchy or irritated, you must not scratch or rub your eyes. Doing so can injure your healing eye.
The First Few Days to Weeks After Cataract Surgery
The day after your cataract surgery procedure, you’ll come back to our office for a follow-up appointment with your ophthalmologist. We’ll make sure your eye is healing properly and that the surgery was successful.
While recovering from cataract surgery, it may be a few days to several days before your vision clears and you see things sharply. If you notice worsening vision or worsening pain during this time, you should call our office for a follow-up appointment. Generally, side effects should not be worsening at this time but should show gradual improvement.
It’s important to prevent injury and infection as your eye heals during the first few weeks. We’ll prescribe you eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation, and your eye shield should prevent injury. You should also avoid getting any sand, grit or other debris in your eye whenever possible.
You should be able to get back to most of your normal activities the day after cataract surgery, including computer work and reading. You should avoid intensive exercise and heavy lifting for a couple weeks. It may take about a month for your eye to completely heal, at which point you should have optimal vision results.
If you are interested in cataract surgery in Kansas City and wondering what the surgical process entails, please contact Silverstein Eye Centers to schedule a consultation.
