What happens after cataract surgery?
Once the cataract surgery is over, your eye specialist team will monitor you for any problems. You should be able to go home the same day as the cataract surgery but you will need someone to drive you.
Itching, mild discomfort, tearing, and a scratchy sensation are normal after cataract surgery. You may also be sensitive to light. These things should clear up within a few days. Your eye specialist will also have eye shield for you to wear during the first day of surgery, and at bedtime for one week. You will also be prescribed at least three different types of eye drops to help heal and reduce infection risk.
You should not bend from the waist to pick up objects and do not lift anything heavy during the healing process.
You can usually expect your vision to improve within a day or two, but sometimes it can take longer. Your eye should be completely healed within four to eight weeks.
What problems might develop after cataract surgery?
Problems with cataract surgery rarely develop but they can include infection, bleeding, pain, redness, swelling, loss of vision, double vision, high or low eye pressure.
If you have any of these symptoms, please contact your eye specialist as soon as possible to have these problems quickly treated.
What is an after-cataract?
Sometimes a film develops over the intraocular lens (IOL) that has been implanted causing vision to become cloudy or blurred. This is called an after-cataract or a posterior capsular opacity, and can develop months or years after cataract surgery. Your eye specialist treats after-cataract with an outpatient laser procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy. It is painless and quick.
When can I expect my vision to be normal after cataract surgery?
Your healing eye needs to adjust so that it can focus correctly with your other eye. Your vision may be blurry for a few days or longer. Your eye specialist can tell you when you can resume driving. Once your eye heals, your eye specialist may prescribe new glasses or contact lenses.
If you’ve received an IOL, you maybe notice that colors are very bright because the IOL is clear and your cataract had a brownish tint.