Most of us have someone in our family, who have been through the cataract surgery at some point in time. When your loved ones are advised to undergo cataract surgery, it might make you a little tensed and anxious, and many questions might come to your mind. One of the major causes for nervousness among people is – what will happen exactly during this cataract operation?

The development of a cataract (dense, cloudy area) in the eyes’ lens causes vision loss and is highly common among older people. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a quick, safe and painless procedure, but recovering after the operation might take some time. In this surgery, the doctor replaces the natural (clouded) lens with an artificial one to restore the person’s vision. Once the surgery is completed, you should take ample precautions and time recommended by the doctor to recover completely. Neglecting the proper routine after the cataract surgery can lead to several infections and many other eye problems.

Moving on further, we will be discussing the cataract surgery in detail and all things you should keep in mind after this surgery.

Let’s first start by understanding the cataract surgery:

A cataract is a dense cloudy area that begins when the proteins in the eyes form clusters and prevent the eyes’ lenses from sending clear images to the retina. It causes blurry vision among people and makes it difficult for carrying out normal routine activities. People suffering from cataracts feel like they are looking through a foggy or dusty car windshield continuously. In such situations, doctors generally recommend people to go through cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is a procedure that involves removing the natural eye lens, which is causing cloudy, blurred vision, and it is then replaced with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL). This surgery is generally performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) with a completely safe procedure. Cataract surgery is highly effective and gives excellent vision results. A good ophthalmologist will always perform a quick and uncomplicated cataract surgery that does not take longer than 10 minutes. Nowadays, newer switch-less cataract surgeries known as MICS (minimal incision cataract surgery) helps in the faster and easy recovery. Patients who undergo this particular surgery need to take proper rest until complete recovery of the eyes is done. The doctors recommend several precautionary steps for complete protection after cataract surgery.

How much time does it take to completely heal from cataract surgery?

Getting back to a normal daily routine after the cataract surgery requires a little time and patience. Your vision might be blurry initially, but with time, your eyes will adjust to the change and heal accordingly. The colors might seem extremely bright just after the surgery because you are looking through a new and clearer lens. Always remember to not put extra pressure on your eyes after the surgery is done. Try not to do any heavy exercise and drive for few days after this surgery.

Keeping a continuous check on the healing of your eyes after your surgery is important; thus, you must visit your doctor at a regular interval. Your doctor may recommend you wear an eye patch or protective shield for better healing a few days after the surgery. Also, take your medications, and eye drops on time to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and control eye pressure. Doing all this will make sure that the discomfort of the eyes reduces within a couple of days, and complete healing of the eyes will occur within eight weeks.

Glenn Medical Center has a specialized team of leading ophthalmologist for cataract surgery. You can trust us for the best cataract surgery procedures and other eye treatments.

What can you do after the complete cataract surgery? – Do’s

• On the day of surgery and the next day as well, the patient must take complete rest. Keeping your eyes relaxed after the cataract surgery helps in better healing.
• People who have been through cataract surgery should strictly use the eye drops as suggested by their ophthalmologist. Using eye drops daily for a few weeks is a must for every cataract surgery patient as it helps in healing fast and prevents infection and inflammation.
• You must also wear a protective shield or eye cover daily, even when you are sleeping. And remember not to sleep on the operated side.  
• You can also resume your daily activities such as watching TV, reading, shopping, walking, etc., after 2-4 days of the surgery. Just make sure that all these physical activities are light that does not give stress to your eyes.
• While bathing, make sure to keep your eyes close and avoid the contact of soap on the treated eye.
• Keep in touch with your doctor regularly and tell them if you are facing any problems after the surgery or not. Follow all the advice by your doctor for a smooth and painless recovery.

What shouldn’t you be doing after the cataract surgery? Don’ts

• Never rub your eyes or apply anything on them like makeup. It can dislocate the stitches (if any) and can also increase the chances of eye infection. If your eye gets irritated or itches, you can gently wipe it off with the help of a soft sterilized cloth/tissue or moist cotton ball.
• Immediately after the cataract surgery, patients should avoid bending to prevent putting extra pressure on the eyes.
• Do not indulge in activities that might affect your eyes and slow down your healing process. Playing with children or engaging in sports activities is not allowed after the surgery because it increases the chances of injuries and infections.
• It is not suggested to swim or use the hot tub for two weeks after the cataract surgery. Excess contact with water makes your eyes vulnerable to infections.
• Avoid driving for at least two days after the surgery. Also, avoid driving at night because it will put excess strain on your eyes.
• Do not indulge in any tiring activities, such as exercises, weight lifting, etc., for 2-3 week’s minimum. Moreover, it would be best to avoid deep straining cough and sneezing for a few weeks as it also put pressure on the eyes. Your eyes need complete rest to recover fully, and doing such strenuous activities are not safe at all.
• Avoid places with excess dirt and dust. Dust particles are harsh for your sensitive eye surface and increase the chance of infection. So, whenever you are going out, make sure that you are wearing your special protective eyewear recommended by your doctor.

Consulting the experts for cataract surgery – Glenn Medical Center

You can now reach out to the best eye care specialists for scheduling your cataract surgery at Glenn Medical Center. We have a trained team working under the leading ophthalmologist ‘Dr. Val K. Shaw. After the cataract surgery, you will get comfortable and quick results by following our clinical care team’s instructions after the cataract surgery. So, if you need any help regarding your eye problems or want to recover facts from the cataract surgery, consult Glenn Medical Center now for genuine treatment. Give us a call on our emergency care number now – (530) 934-1800.