Recovering from cataract surgery typically takes about a week. The actual surgery itself only lasts about 10 to 20 minutes. After the surgery, patients often report that they are able to see improvement immediately or soon after.
However, they will need to go back to the doctor after a few days for a post-operative checkup. The eye may be red, swollen, and watery; this is normal and should improve after the first 24 hours. Depending on the type of surgery, drops or medication may be used to help with healing.
During this time, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions about how to care for the eye and use any medication prescribed. Additionally, it is important to avoid rubbing or putting pressure on the eye as this can affect the healing process.
After the surgery, many patients report that their vision is improved and colors appear brighter and clearer. Further improvements are often noticed after about a week. Following the doctor’s instructions for follow-up visits and any necessary medications is the key to helping a quick and successful recovery from cataract surgery.
Do and don’ts after cataract surgery?
It is essential to take the appropriate precautions and follow advice after cataract surgery to ensure the best possible outcome and a speedy recovery. Below is a list of do’s and don’ts to help you through the recovery phase:
Do’s:
1. Visit your doctor for your regularly scheduled appointments following the surgery.
2. Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun’s rays.
3. Follow instructions provided by your doctor to clean and care for your eyes.
4. Refrain from activities that require sudden movements, such as sports and yard work, during the recovery period.
5. Take medications prescribed by your doctor on time to provide relief from various symptoms.
6. Ask your doctor when you are allowed to drive a car again.
Don’ts:
1. Refrain from getting soap, water, or any other foreign substance in the eyes for at least two weeks after the surgery.
2. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and sauna for 2-3 weeks after the surgery.
3. Refrain from rubbing or pressing the eyes for a few weeks after the procedure.
4. Avoid bending or lifting heavy objects.
5. Avoid straining your eyes with activities such as staring at a laptop or computer screens, reading, and knitting for a few weeks after the surgery.
6. Avoid using contact lenses or eye makeup until you are cleared by your doctor.
How long after cataract surgery can I sleep on my side?
It is typically recommended to wait two weeks after cataract surgery before sleeping on your side. This is to give your eye time to properly heal and recover, as sleeping on your side can cause undue pressure on the eye.
During the first two weeks after surgery, it is recommended to sleep with your head elevated near or slightly above your heart. Additionally, it is a good idea to wear an eye shield while sleeping during the recovery period, as this can help reduce the risk of accidently rubbing or bumping your eye.
It is also important to be sure that any pillows, comforters, and sheets you are using are clean and free from allergens and irritants that may get into the eye. After two weeks have passed, it is safe to start sleeping on your side again, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
During the time that you are sleeping on your side, be sure to keep your head slightly elevated with a few pillows, as this will reduce pressure and help keep the eye comfortable.
What happens if you accidentally bend over after cataract surgery?
If you accidentally bend over after cataract surgery, you may experience a brief sensation of pressure on your eyes. This is due to some residual air in the front chamber of your eyes which needs to be reabsorbed.
This should not cause any permanent harm to your eyes and the sensation should dissipate relatively quickly. However, you should take care to avoid bending down, lifting heavy objects, and performing strenuous activities.
If you have any concerns, you should consult with your eye doctor for further advice.
What are the most common problems after cataract surgery?
The most common complications after cataract surgery include inflammation, swelling, bleeding, inflammation of the iris (iritis), infection, corneal swelling, increased pressure in the eye, retinal detachment and drooping of the eyelid.
While these complications are generally quite rare, it is important to follow your eye doctor’s instructions and visit for post-operative exams in order to ensure the best outcomes for your treatment.
Additionally, if you experience any worsening vision after the procedure, contact your eye doctor right away.
Is it normal to have blurry vision a month after cataract surgery?
Yes, it is normal to have blurry vision after cataract surgery, though for some people it can take up to a month for their vision to fully improve. During this time, the eye can still be healing and adjusting to the changes that are occurring.
It is important to visit your doctor to ensure the healing is progressing correctly and that there are no complications. During the healing process, the eye surgeon may put a special pair of glasses or contact lenses in your eyes to help with the healing process.
It is also important to keep yourself hydrated during this time as dehydration can cause further vision issues. After the eye is fully healed, your vision should return to near normal clarity.
Can a botched cataract surgery be redone?
Yes, a botched cataract surgery can be redone. The procedure for a repeat cataract surgery is much the same as a first one and typically has the same risks and side effects. Your doctor may opt to use a slightly different approach than the original surgeon.
Lucky for you, in most cases, a repeat surgery is successful.
Common reasons for redoing a cataract surgery include a missed diagnosis prior to the initial surgery, advanced techniques and technology not being used for the first procedure, or complications with the original procedure.
Before planning for repeat surgery, your ophthalmologist will need to assess your eye health and vision. They will also need to determine the cause of the botched surgery. Depending on the problem, they may suggest a different kind of lens implant, or they may need to use more advanced techniques in order to correct the problem.
The doctor might also decide to use a different type of anesthesia or a different approach to the surgery.
Overall, the decisions on whether to redo a botched cataract surgery depends on what caused the initial problem and how much additional damage was done in the process. The doctor may be able to correct the issue with a minor adjustment or may need to perform another surgery.
Rest assured, modern surgical techniques, technology, and lenses have advanced, so the chances of having a successful surgery the second time around are much greater.
Does vision continue to deteriorate after cataract surgery?
No, vision should not continue to deteriorate after cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the most effective and least invasive method of restoring vision and is usually very successful. After successful surgery, the majority of people experience improved vision, depending on their pre-operative visual acuity.
Depending on their pre-operative vision, some people may need to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct their vision post-operatively. In rare cases, people may not completely regain their vision due to complications with surgery or other underlying conditions, but generally, a significant improvement should be expected in most cases.
Other related issues, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, may still cause vision to deteriorate regardless of cataract surgery. It is important to practice healthy habits, such as wearing protective eyewear for outdoor activities, and attending regularly scheduled eye exams in order to reduce the risk of further vision loss.
Can blurry vision after cataract surgery be corrected?
Yes, blurry vision after cataract surgery can be corrected. Typically, the cause of blurred vision is due to changes in the eye’s focusing power after the removal of the cataract. A new lens implant, called an intraocular lens (IOL), is implanted during cataract surgery.
However, the power of the IOL may be different than the focusing power of the eye prior to the cataract removal. This can result in blurry vision. Fortunately, this problem can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses prescribed to compensate for the difference in the IOL and the natural focus of the eye pre-surgery.
In some cases, Customized IOLs can be used, which can be specifically tailored to the patient’s eyes, which can help reduce the risk of blurred vision. Additionally, a second procedure called laser vision correction may be needed to more effectively correct the vision in some patients.
In this procedure, the eye surgeon corrects small imperfections on the cornea using tiny pulses of laser light. This procedure may result in clearer vision and reduce the need for glasses after cataract surgery.
