How Long Does It Take to Recover From Cataract Surgery?

Posted by Dr. Matthew Clary on August 28th, 2022

Cataracts occur as you age, and the only treatment option is surgery. Cataract Surgery is normally painless and takes less than 20 minutes.

Recovery from cataract surgery is also short, with minimal complications if you don't have any other eye complications. The breakthroughs in eye treatment have made it easy to tailor treatment to every patient's condition.

Patients must follow their post-care guidelines and instructions for excellent cataract surgery recovery outcomes. The doctor will prescribe eye drops to minimize inflammation and infection risks.

Normally after surgery, one experiences blurred vision as the eye heals. The condition will gradually improve within a few days. Total healing after surgery takes about eight weeks.

To recover quickly without infection, do the following.

• Keep away from vigorous activity or heavy lifting. However, you can engage in light activities such as walking, watching television, and reading. Ensure you get enough rest when you are discharged
• Don’t rub your eyes
• Stay straight without bending over. Doing this will put pressure on your eye
• Don’t drive
• No hot tubs or swimming until you’re healed
• Wear a protective shield when you go to sleep
• Use dark glasses to minimize light sensitivity
• Take your post-operative medication, including eye drops religiously, as instructed by the doctor. These medications will help to prevent inflammation and minimize infection risks

Adhering to these instructions will hasten your recovery, ensuring you don’t experience complications as you heal.

If both eyes need cataract surgery, the procedure will be done twice. One eye has to recover first before the second surgery is performed. A follow-up appointment is needed to assess your recovery. 

Although the recovery time can be minimal, a lot of factors can influence recovery speed. For some patients, it can take fewer days to recover from cataract surgery completely. But complete healing can take up to three months.

About Author

The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.