Cataract surgery recovery

Cataract surgery recovery – what to expect?

Is a fast recovery expected after cataract surgery? After cataract surgery under local anesthesia you should be able to return home on the same day on which your cataract surgery was performed. A dressing and/or a plastic shield may be placed over your eye before you leave the hospital, which can usually be removed on the day after the surgery.

Sensation should begin to return to your eye within a few hours of the surgery, but it may take several days until your vision fully returns.

What are the expected/normal sensations during recovery from cataract surgery?

These are normal sensations in the period after cataract surgery:

• A sandy feeling
• Tearing
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• A red or slightly bloody appearance

These side effects usually improve within a few days, but they may last 4 to 6 weeks until full recovery is achieved.

If you need new glasses, you will not be able to order them until your eye has fully healed, usually 4-6 weeks after the surgery.

Cataract surgery has high success rates in improving vision and should allow you to return to your usual activities, such as driving.

Cataract surgery abnormal recovery – signs

Contact your eye surgery department as soon as possible if you experience:

• Increased pain and/or increased redness
• A decrease in vision

Do's and don'ts during recovery from cataract surgery
In the first weeks after the surgery:

What to do:

• Use your eye drops as directed
• Take it easy for the first two to 3 days
• Use your eye shield at night for at least a week
• Take painkillers if you need to
• Bathe or shower as usual
• Wear an eye shield when washing your hair
• Read, watch television and use the computer
• Use your shield, your old glasses or your sunglasses outside
• Avoid swimming for 4 to 6 weeks

What not to do:

• Do not rub your eyes
• Do not allow soap or shampoo to get into your eye
• Do not drive until you get the all-clear from your doctor
• Do not do strenuous exercise or housework
• Do not wear eye makeup for at least 4 weeks
• Do not fly without asking your doctor's advice

You can arrange for someone to help take care of you until your vision returns, especially if the vision in your other eye is poor.

If you work, how quickly you can return will depend largely on the type of your work and whether you need new glasses.

Cataract surgery fast recovery and the use of eye drops

Before you leave the hospital, you will be given recommendations for eye drops to help your eye heal and prevent infection.

It is important to use the eye drops according to the doctor's instructions.

Unless told otherwise, you should:

• Start the drops on the morning after the surgery
• Use them only in the operated eye
• Wash your hands before using the drops
• Do not stop your eye drops without advice from your doctor
• Do not let anyone else use your eye drops

You will receive further advice about the use of eye drops at your follow-up appointment, usually 1 to 4 weeks after the surgery.

At this appointment, you may be given advice about when to stop using the eye drops and when to apply for new glasses.

How do you put in eye drops during recovery from cataract surgery?

1. Wash your hands.
2. Tilt your head back.
3. Look up at the ceiling.
4. Gently pull down the lower eyelid.
5. Squeeze the bottle until a drop enters your eye.
6. Close the eye and wipe away any excess fluid.
7. Do not let the bottle touch the eye.
8. Dispose of the drops safely after you finish your course of treatment.

How to clean the eye after cataract surgery?

• Boil some water and let it cool.
• Wash your hands.
• Dip clean cotton wool or gauze in the cooled boiled water.
• Gently wipe from the inside (near the nose) to the outer corner of the eye.
• Do not wipe inside the eye.
• Do not rinse the eye with water.
• Do not press on the eye.

During the first two weeks, you may need to clean the eye twice a day because the drops and the healing process may cause slight stickiness of the eyelids.