If you suffer from cataract surgery, you know that the lenses of your eyes, which were once clear, are now cloudy. You may find it hard to see at night. You may experience light sensitivity. When looking at light sources, you may see a “halo” effect. You may also have double vision or colors may not seem as bright. But, your doctor has suggested that you have cataract removal surgery. While it may not have been an easy decision, you are now going forward with cataract removal.
Of course, you have questions as to what to expect after surgery. Here are some things you should take note of when it comes to your recovery.
Immediately Following Cataract Removal Surgery
After surgery, your doctor may prescribe eye drops and/or additional medications which will be used to prevent infection, reduce any inflammation, and control eye pressure. Prior to leaving, please be sure to ask your doctor if you have questions about the eye drops or medication. It is important that medications be taken as prescribed for optimal results.
Once you are at home, most doctors recommend that you take a nap or rest your eyes for several hours. Later on, you may be able to watch television or work on your computer for a short period of time if okayed by your doctor.
Additionally, you will also want to make sure someone is on hand to drive you home. While you should not be in pain, cataract removal is performed on one eye at a time, and you will leave with your eye bandaged, which will limit your vision.
In the Days Following Cataract Removal Surgery
While you may be wishing for immediate improvement after your cataract removal, it is quite normal for your vision to be blurry. It is part of the healing process. Most patients begin to see improvement in their vision within a few days of surgery.
Remember that during this time you may still feel some mild discomfort, or your eye may still feel itchy. Your doctor may send you home with an eye patch to wear at night to prevent you from rubbing your eyes.
In the Weeks Following Cataract Removal Surgery
While each patient is different, in the weeks following cataract removal, your eye will eventually heal. At this time, your doctor can check your vision and perform cataract removal on the other eye, if necessary. Otherwise, a final prescription for glasses can be made.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions after cataract removal surgery. If you feel that your eyesight is worsening, you are experiencing a change in vision or having increased eye pain, redness or swelling, you should immediately seek your doctor’s care. He/she can assess the situation and make recommendations.
Althea Carter is an aspiring writer and storyteller from Kentucky. Her passion for literature and storytelling began at a young age, and now she is an avid blogger and author, sharing her experiences and stories with readers from around the world. When she’s not creating content for her blog, Althea loves nothing more than exploring the complexities of the human experience through theatre, reading, painting, and travelling. She hopes her words and art can inspire others to create, explore, and experience the world around them.
