Plano Cataract
Surgery Recovery
Your journey to clear vision doesn’t end when your cataract surgery is complete. Similar to how you have to take steps before surgery to ensure the best possible vision results — steps like scheduling a consultation, choosing a cataract surgeon, and choosing an IOL — there are also steps you’ll have to take after surgery to ensure a smooth recovery.
The team at Brooks Eye Associates wants to give you clear, crisp vision once again. Our board-certified cataract specialists are experienced in creating great outcomes for our patients, from the first consultation to the final steps of your recovery.
Following your surgeon’s advice both before and after surgery can greatly impact the outcome of your procedure. It’s important to know what to expect from your vision after surgery, and how to best care for your eyes as they heal.
How to Get the Best Cataract Surgery Results
Cataract surgery has an extremely high success rate, and you can further ensure the outcome you desire by taking steps to protect your eyes as you recover. Recovery from surgery is typically short, particularly when pre and postoperative instructions are followed. During your initial consultation with our Texas cataract surgeons, Dr. Dain Brooks, Dr. Connor Smith, and Dr. Parsha Forouzan, your recovery will be discussed in greater detail.
While we do ask that you temporarily avoid some activities, you should be able to resume your normal routine roughly within three days of your surgery.
What Not to Do After Cataract Surgery
After cataract surgery, your eyes are somewhat vulnerable and require more attention than usual. To best take care of your eyes and make sure they heal properly, temporarily (for 1 week) avoid:
- Rubbing or Putting pressure on your eye (a light touch is ok)
- Wearing eye makeup (since it requires you to rub it off)
- Long-distance travel
- Lifting heavy weights, yoga, golfing, and running. (Normal activities such as walking are ok)
- Scrubbing, rubbing, or getting water directly in the eye.
- Swimming, hot tub, water aerobics for three weeks
What to Do After Cataract Surgery
Just as there are things you shouldn’t do after cataract surgery, there are also actions you should take.
Steps you can take to help ensure the best cataract surgery recovery possible include:
- Using all medications and eye drops provided by your eye doctor
- Protecting the eye from dirt, dust, and other irritants
- Wearing sunglasses
- Wearing the protective shield given to you after surgery (especially at night, during naps, or as otherwise instructed by your doctor)
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Cataract Surgery?
Each person heals at a different pace. Some patients report having clear vision only a few hours after surgery, while others don’t experience full clarity until a few weeks after their procedure.
After surgery, you may experience some side effects. Often, these symptoms are not serious; however, you should always speak with your doctor about any persisting symptoms to ensure you have a smooth recovery.
Post Cataract Surgery Symptoms
Some post cataract surgery symptoms you might experience are:
- Blurry vision
- Dry eyes
- Red eyes
- General discomfort
These specific symptoms are typically short-lived and can be treated with over the counter or prescription medications. Your surgeon should be notified if the discomfort or irritation continues for more than one week.
How Long After Cataract Surgery Until I Can Drive?
Since anesthesia is used during your procedure, it is not safe for you to drive home after your surgery. Because of this, we ask that you have someone drive you home after surgery.
Most of our patients can resume driving within 24 hours. However, only drive if you feel you can do so safely.
How Long After Cataract Surgery Until I Can Watch TV?
It’s recommended that you don’t watch TV or read for at least 24 hours after your surgery. If you begin to feel any discomfort when you watch TV or read, you may have to give your eyes more time to recover before resuming these activities.
How Long After Cataract Surgery Until I Can Shower?
You may shower or bathe the day after your procedure, but be sure to keep water, shampoo, soap, and other products out of your eyes.
What to Expect from Plano Cataract Surgery
The cataract surgery recovery process shouldn’t take longer than a month, but each person’s eyes react differently and heal at their own pace.
The doctors at Brooks Eye Associates will follow-up with you in the days and weeks after your cataract surgery to ensure your vision improvement is progressing normally. You should notice excellent vision improvement within a week. After surgery, all signs of your cataracts will be gone, and you should expect to experience clear, sharp vision thanks to your new IOL.
To schedule a consultation and begin your journey to healthy, clear vision, call Brooks Eye Associates at (972) 736-9347.
