Any surgery carried out on your precious eyesight is bound to bring with it anxiety and worry. However, cataract surgery is a commonly carried out and safe procedure. The following explains the steps you can take to reduce your recovery time and help you get back to normal activities in the shortest period possible.
Typical Recovery Times Following Cataract Surgery
- When can you go home?
- Normal post-surgery symptoms
When can you go home?
Most people can go home within a few hours of having their cataract surgery. You’ll likely have a pad or plastic shield covering the eye. This normally has to stay on until the following day and will need to be worn when sleeping for several days.
Normal post-surgery symptoms
It’s normal to have some or all of the following symptoms, but these tend to reduce over a few days. Within four to six weeks they should have disappeared entirely.
– Red, bloodshot eye
– Watery eye
– Grittiness
– Double or blurred vision
– Dry eye
Do’s and Don’ts After Cataract Surgery
- Do this after cataract surgery
- Don’t do this after cataract surgery
Do this after cataract surgery
To speed your recovery you should ensure you do the following:
– Take it easy for the first two to three days
– Take painkillers if necessary
– Use your eye shield at night time, or when napping, for around a week
– Wear your eye shield when washing your hair
– Use your eye drops as instructed by your eye surgeon
– Watch the TV, read, and use the computer as you usually do
– Shower and bathe as usual
– Wear sunglasses when outdoors
– Always wash your hands before using eye drops
Don’t do this after cataract surgery
Difficult as some of these might sound, you should refrain from the following:
– Sneezing or vomiting right after the procedure
– Bend over for the first day after the operation
– Drive until you’re instructed to (this might be as soon as a day after the operation, but take your surgeon’s advice)
– Lift heavy objects or undertake a strenuous activity for the first few weeks
– Touch, rub or put anything near your eye
– Expose your eye to wind, grime, dust, or grit
– Wear makeup for at least four weeks
– Swim or use a hot tub for around four to six weeks
– Fly until your surgeon informs you it’s safe to do so
Most people don’t experience any post-operative issues and return to full health within a few weeks. You might need to clean your eye during the first couple of weeks. This is because the healing process and the drops you’ll be prescribed can cause a slight stickiness.
If this is the case, you should clean your eye in the following manner:
– Use boiled, cooled water
– Wash your hands thoroughly before starting
– Soak some gauze in the cooled water
– Wipe from your nose to the outside corner of the eye (gently)
– Don’t wipe the inside of the eye
– Don’t press on the eye or use an eyewash/bath
While cataract surgery complications are rare, should you experience any sudden change in vision, pain, or dramatically increased redness or stickiness you should contact your eye doctor immediately.
Contact the West Boca Eye Surgery for the Best Lifetime Visual Health
No matter what your age, regular eye examinations are your best weapon against issues such as cataracts and other vision-related problems. The West Boca Eye Center, run by a leading ophthalmologist, Brent Bellotte MD., is the ultimate facility to ensure great eyesight throughout your life.
Visit West Boca Eye Center now to discover more and schedule an appointment.
