Tips For Your Best Cataract Surgery Recovery

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on August 5, 2020

Cataract surgery can seem intimidating. Among many patient’s biggest fears is the recovery period.

The vast majority of patients have a short and easy recovery. Not sure what you should do to ensure you have the best one possible? Keep reading for a few tips for your best cataract surgery recovery!

Getting Home

A lot of patients experience grogginess and fatigue after their surgery. Your vision will likely be blurry.

You might experience mild discomfort and redness in your eyes. It is important that you have someone drive you home and stay with you for at least a day after your surgery.

These symptoms should pass within a couple of days. Let your doctor know if any of these symptoms continue longer than three days, as it could be a sign of a complication.

Follow-up Visits

Make sure you don’t miss any follow-up visits you have scheduled. Your doctor will need to examine your eyes within the first week after your surgery.

They will likely schedule more visits within the weeks following your surgery. It is important that you attend these appointments.

Doing so will ensure that your eyes are healing as they should be. Post-surgery complications are rare, but you should be aware of a few key symptoms.

These include any retinal swelling, inflammation around the eyes, or sudden vision loss.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. These issues can be easily addressed if your doctor catches them early.

Protect Your Eye

You can shower within a day of your surgery, but you need to keep your eye covered. Your doctor will provide you with an eye shield to help with bathing.

You should also use your eye shield when you go to bed to make sure that you don’t hurt your eye while you’re sleeping. Most patients are able to stop using their eye shield within a week after surgery.

It is important to check with your doctor before you stop using your eye shield.

Strenuous Activity

Avoid engaging in any strenuous activity for at least two to four weeks after your surgery. Light activity like a short stroll is fine.

Wait a month before going to the gym, swimming, cycling or yoga. You should also refrain from lifting anything heavy.

Strenuous activity takes more eye movement than you might realize. This kind of activity also means that you may be straining.

When your face is strained, your eyes can be strained as well. Strain on your eyes can negatively affect your recovery from cataract surgery.

Talk with your eye care specialist about when you can return to more strenuous activity. They will be the best source of information based on how you’re recovering.

Day to Day Activities

Simple activities like reading, needlework, watching TV,  and computer work are fine. Your doctor will let you know what level of activity is right for you. Consult with your doctor before driving, and before any air travel.

Driving requires a lot of eye focus and movement. This is not helpful when you are recovering from cataract surgery. Most patients can safely drive a week or less after cataract surgery.

Air travel can expose your eyes to bacteria inside a pressurized cabin. This can negatively affect your recovery. 

Ready to say goodbye to cataracts and hello to clear vision? Schedule a cataract screening at Missouri Eye Institute in Joplin, MO to begin your journey towards better vision.