What Happens After Cataract Surgery?

You can live with cataracts for years without them affecting your eyesight, but when your eyes begin to feel the effects, it’s time to look into cataract surgery. A cataract is a condition where the lens of the eye becomes clouded instead of its usual clear form. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, but they can’t spread from one eye to the other. Initially, you may not even realize you have cataracts and an eye examination is the only way to detect the condition. Eventually your eyesight might begin to get fuzzy. Some people develop a haze over their eyesight, described as looking through a fog or gauze curtain. When our doctors examine our cataract patients, they recommend cataract surgery when a patient’s eyesight prevents them from carrying out daily activities such as reading, driving, or cooking. The surgery is done on one eye at a time, with a rest period of six to eight weeks before proceeding to other eye.

Post-Surgery Procedure Care from your Tulsa Optometrist

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most common surgeries performed in the United States. It is common to not feel any pain during the surgery and for hours afterward. In the first hour or two following surgery, you’ll need to sit quietly and recover. When you’re ready to head home, you’ll require someone to drive you. Our doctor will give you an extra-strong pair of sunglasses. Your eyes are very sensitive now, so make sure to wear them according to the doctor’s instructions.

If you’ve had cataracts for a while, you’ll probably be amazed at the difference in your eyesight right away. Your vision will immediately be clearer, and colors will probably be much brighter. Bright lights may hurt your eyes, especially fluorescent lights, so wear the sunglasses indoors, at least for the first day or two.

Itching is normal, as is a small amount of discharge, but both should go away in a day or two. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops to help prevent infection. Make sure to use these drops exactly as instructed. No matter how odd it feels to wear an eye patch to sleep, it is crucial for you to do so, to protect your eye in case you try to rub it in your sleep.

Healing from cataract surgery is very quick, with most patients being completely healed within eight weeks. You’ll probably feel completely recovered much sooner than expected. It is important that even though you feel better, you follow the safety instructions until your doctor can examine your eyes. For instance:

• Bend with your knees and never bend over at the waist. This puts excess pressure on the healing eyeball

• Never life more than ten pounds. Make multiple trips, or get someone to help

• Let someone else drive for a day or two until you’re used to the strength of your new eyesight

If you have any questions or concerns regarding cataracts and the surgery procedure, don’t hesitate to contact our Harrel Eyecare office today at (918) 745-9662.