How Long Does It Take to Recover from Cataract Surgery?
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If you’re struggling with double vision, blurred vision, or vision loss, you might have cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, and it’s a condition that can only be corrected with cataract surgery.Â
If you have cataracts, cataract surgery is your only option for seeing clearly again. Keep reading to learn more about the surgery and what to expect from the healing process.
How Does Cataract Surgery Work?
Before we can explain the recovery process for cataract surgery, we’ll need to establish what the surgery actually involves. During laser cataract surgery, your cloudy lens is carefully removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. You can expect to feel little or no pain during the process.
First, the pupils of the eyes are dilated using special eye drops.
Then, your surgeon will carefully remove the cloudy lens from your eye.
Finally, the artificial lens is put into place.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Cataract Surgery?
So, now that you know what to expect during your surgery, how long will it take to recover from the procedure? To cut to the chase, the healing process after cataract surgery generally takes between one and two months, but it can vary from person to person. To learn more about how long you can expect to deal with restrictions related to your cataract surgery, you can talk to your McAllen eye doctor.
What Should I Expect During Cataract Surgery Recovery?
First, it’s important to note that cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, and that means you won’t need to spend the night in the hospital, but you will need someone to drive you home. For the first few days following your eye surgery, you may experience a range of minor side effects, including:
- Grittiness
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Watering eyes
- Bloodshot eyes
Your vision should improve within a few days, but it may take up to 10 weeks for optimum clarity to be achieved. During recovery, you will need to take your prescribed eye drops and use a protective eye shield as instructed by your surgeon to promote healing and prevent infection and eye complications.
Cataract Surgery Recovery Restrictions
In the days after your cataract surgery, you will need to follow certain instructions and restrictions in order to ensure a full recovery. Follow the guidelines below, along with any additional instructions from your eye doctor:
- Don’t rub or press on your eyes
- Wear your eye shield as directed
- Use your medicated eye drops as directed
- Avoid exercise and strenuous activity for up to two weeks
- Avoid swimming for up to two weeks
- Avoid eye makeup for up to two weeks
- Wear sunglasses when exposed to the sun
Your doctor can let you know more specifics about how long you should follow each of the restrictions and recommendations above. Don’t hesitate to ask your eye care team for guidance.
Get Precision Cataract Surgery at Gelman Vision in McAllen
If you have cloudy vision, we may recommend cataract surgery to help you see clearly again. Before undergoing cataract surgery, you’ll go through a series of tests and a thorough eye exam to ensure that this is the right treatment for you.Â
If we determine that cataract surgery is the best option for your case, then you can rely on our McAllen eye surgeons for exceptional precision and care. You don’t have to live with cloudy vision. Come see a McAllen eye specialist to learn about your treatment options.