Tips For Post-cataract Surgery Care

If you develop a cataract that can seriously damage your vision, your ophthalmologist may recommend surgery to eliminate this problem.

You will have to go through surgery to remove your diseased lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

Cataract surgery in Los Angeles is an outpatient procedure, so you can go home on the same day the eye receives the IOL. Like other outpatient surgeries, most rehabilitation will occur at home.

Since your eye needs to spend some time adapting to the artificial lens, cataract recovery can take weeks to two months.

The ophthalmologist will give you precise, detailed instructions on taking care of your eyes after cataract surgery. 

Read on to learn more about the entire recovery process and what you can and can’t do at different stages of the recovery phase.

What is a cataract?

The lens of the eye is the organ behind the pupil and is responsible for refracting light onto the retina, and the optic nerve can send images to the brain.

When there is a problem with the lens, the image processed by the brain will become blurred, doubled, and wrong in color, or another incorrect image will appear. There may be several problems with the lens. A cataract is the most common type, and often people suffer from it after the age of 40.

A cataract is a disease that forms a cloudy, milky white or yellowish-brown area on the lens, causing changes in vision. It is caused by protein breakdown, usually due to age, but sometimes it may be as a result of another disease, trauma, or congenital disabilities.

Untreated cataracts can lead to blindness. Fortunately, cataract surgery in Los Angeles has achieved widespread success in restoring vision by removing the diseased lens and replacing it with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL).

If you are diagnosed with a cataract, the problem may take several years to become severe enough for your ophthalmologist to recommend surgery.

If you have an uncomplicated eye condition, it usually doesn’t take a long time to have surgery. It takes about 10 minutes for a single eye to perform a simple operation, and then you will rest for 15 to 30 minutes in the recovery area.

Because of the long healing time and adaptation to the intraocular lens, vision improvement may take within a few weeks after surgery.

Recovery after cataract surgery in Los Angeles

As it is mentioned above, cataract surgery is usually an outpatient procedure so that you can go home on the same day your cataract is removed.

It means that most of the recovery process will take place at home. You will require follow-up visits to the ophthalmologist to ensure your eyes are recovering properly. It is critical to follow the ophthalmologist’s recovery guidelines strictly.

Your ophthalmologist will provide you with a more detailed recovery time, but below are some general recommendations to follow after cataract surgery.

Immediately after surgery: You can return home after the cataract surgery if you are allowed to remove anesthetics during the recovery time.

Since your vision will be affected immediately after surgery, it is not safe to drive home. You must have someone with who you can trust to take you back after the operation.

Within a few days and weeks after surgery, you are advised to:

• Use prescription medicines detailed by your ophthalmologist.
• Follow all advice from your ophthalmologist.
• Rest and relax for two to three days.
• Use at least one eye shield every night.
• Wear eye protection while showering, especially when washing your hair.
• Perform low-impact activities regularly, such as using a computer frequently, reading, or watching TV.
• Avoid swimming for four to eight weeks during the recovery process.

It is important to avoid:

• Rubbing eyes.
• Foreign objects from entering your eyes, such as shampoo.
• Performing intense activities such as running or yoga.
• Driving before your ophthalmologist gets a full inspection.
• Flying without the knowledge and approval of a doctor.

You can get back to work a few days or weeks after surgery, depending on the type of work you are doing.

Vision is likely to return after surgery.

Be sure to follow your ophthalmologist’s instructions for home, post-operative care, and all follow-up exams to ensure your ophthalmologist recovers appropriately.

If you have problems with your vision, discomfort or pain that persists or worsens, swelling or redness or loss of vision, report it to your doctor immediately.

Since cataract surgery has been carried out for several decades, the success rate is high, and the complication rate is low.

If you still have any queries, talk to your eye doctor to help you learn more about specific cataract conditions, the risk of surgery, or other eye health problems that may arise.

When you have cataract surgery, most of your recovery time is at home, so it’s essential to know how to take care of yourself, your ophthalmologist suggests.