What to do after cataract surgery
If your vision gets cloudy, you may have a cataract. Your eye doctor may suggest surgery to remove the cloudy lens of your eye and replace it with a clear, artificial one. It’s a very common and quick surgery. The most crucial aspect of cataract surgery that you handle yourself is the aftercare.
The dos
The most important thing to do is to keep your eyes from getting sun damage. Your eyes will be highly sensitive to light and need proper protection. Many doctors will provide UV-protecting sunglasses, and you should wear them at all times outdoors, especially during the first week. You will most likely have to wear them for about a year. The sun can cause a lot of damage, so if you expose your eyes to the sun too soon, it can prevent your eyes from healing properly and could cause long-term damage.
You can take a shower or bath, watch television, and do light computer work. You don’t want to do too much that could potentially strain your eye, so do these things with caution.
The don’ts
You don’t want to overdo anything, especially too soon. You should slowly adjust back into your daily routine but do so cautiously. You should avoid being too active within the first week or two because even bending over can put pressure on your eye, and you most definitely don’t want to drive the day after your surgery.
Stay away from swimming for the first week, and it’s best to keep your eyes away from areas that have dirt and dust. These things can be extremely irritating to the eye and slow down the healing process.
How long does it take to recover?
Some people notice an immediate difference in their vision an hour or two after the surgery, but of course, you will still have to take proper care of your eyes during the healing process. The average time that your eye takes to heal fully is between 2-4 months after surgery. You will most likely have another appointment a few months after your surgery to have your eyes tested.
Be patient during the healing process so that your eyes can fully heal without any issues. If you have any questions or concerns about the surgery or after, be sure to consult your doctor. It’s completely normal to be nervous!