Cataract Surgery Recovery: Things To Know
To treat cataracts and clear the often disruptive cloudiness that they cause, cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear, artificial intraocular lens. The procedure is relatively straight forward and quite commonly performed, but it is still important to follow detailed recovery instructions and support a successful cataract surgery recovery.
In this blog, we’ll discuss what to expect during your recovery and the steps you can take to support your eye’s healing.
When you’re ready, booking a consultation at Valley Eye Specialists in Brisbane will help us correctly diagnose your cataract, recommend treatment options and explain the details of cataract surgery – including the recovery period that it requires.
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, that can lead to vision impairment over time.
They are primarily caused by ageing, but can also result from trauma, certain medical conditions such as diabetes, prolonged use of corticosteroids, and excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (UV rays).
For a cataract to be correctly diagnosed, an ophthalmologist will need to perform a detailed assessment of the eye, which can include a variety of tests (such as diagnostic imaging).
What you can expect during cataract surgery recovery
Straight after cataract surgery, it is common to feel slightly disoriented due to the effects of the anaesthesia used during the procedure. Your eye will be covered with a protective shield, which you should keep in place as directed by your ophthalmologist.
Initially, your vision may be blurry or hazy right after the surgery. This is normal and usually improves within a few days as your eye heals and adjusts. Some patients report seeing bright colours or experiencing glare, but these symptoms should also gradually subside.
Mild discomfort, itching, or a gritty sensation in the eye is common in the first few days. Pain medication and prescribed eye drops can help to manage these symptoms, when they are taken as recommended. Particularly early on in your recovery, you should avoid rubbing or pressing on your eye to prevent causing any further discomfort or irritation.
Over the first month, your vision should steadily improve. Some patients may experience fluctuations in their vision, which is normal as the eye continues to heal.
While many patients notice a significant improvement in their vision within the first week, it will take some time to notice the final visual outcome. As you heal, your eye will gradually stabilise, and you will slowly have a clearer understanding of your new vision capabilities.
Common recovery guidelines: Managing bandages and when to resume normal daily activities
Early in your recovery, you’ll typically need to keep a bandage over the eye, including while sleeping. Your bandage helps to protect your eyes from bright light, reduce glare when outdoors, and prevent accidental rubbing or pressure on the eye.
Bandages should be worn full-time for at least the first week of recovery, but your ophthalmologist will direct you on what to do, depending on your personal circumstances. You should normally attend a follow-up appointment within one or two days after surgery so your ophthalmologist can assess your healing progress and give you any directions at that time.
You will usually be prescribed a regimen of eye drops to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and support the healing of the eye. Using eye drops will be highly important during your recovery, so make sure that you follow the instructions carefully – missing doses, or stopping them prematurely, may increase the risk of complications.
Rest is essential during your initial recovery period. You will typically be instructed to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and bending over, as these actions can increase pressure in your eye. Over the first few days after your surgery, you may be able to slowly resume light activities, including walking and reading, but you’ll still need to shield your eyes from anything that could aggravate them while you heal – this can include swimming, gardening and playing certain sports.
Depending on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) implanted during your surgery, you may still require glasses for certain activities, such as reading or driving at night. Your ophthalmologist will provide guidance on the best corrective lenses for your needs.
Even after your recovery, regular eye exams will still be essential, even after a successful cataract surgery. Eye exams will help to monitor your eye health, detect any potential issues early, and support clear vision. Your ophthalmologist can recommend how often to return for check-ups at Valley Eye.
Our key steps to follow to help your eyes recover
During your consultation, your ophthalmologist will outline everything you need to know about your recovery, including all of the steps to follow to support your healing. Firstly, closely following your provided recovery instructions is the best step you can take to help your eyes recover well.
While your eye recovers, you should maintain good hygiene to prevent the spread of bacteria to your eye, which can lead to infections. We recommend washing your hands thoroughly before administering eye drops or touching your eye area and avoiding exposing your eye to dirty or dusty environments.
Proper hydration and a balanced diet can support your overall healing process. In particular, foods rich in vitamins A and C, such as leafy greens, carrots, and citrus fruits, have been found to be beneficial for eye health.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can impede the healing process and increase the risk of complications. We recommend to refrain from smoking and limit alcohol intake during your recovery period – your ophthalmologist will typically provide you with more detailed instructions when it comes to avoiding both smoking and alcohol consumption.
Lastly, since recovery from cataract surgery varies from person to person, we recommend to be patient with your healing progress. Carefully following your instructions and not rushing your recovery will help to support sufficient healing and a successful result.
Valley Eye Specialists: Cataract surgery with highly trained ophthalmologists in Brisbane
Ophthalmologists who operate at Valley Eye pride themselves on providing quality, personalised eye care for all ages.
As an experienced and qualified team, we collaborate to provide routine and urgent care for a variety of eye health needs, including cataracts.
Located on Ballow Street in Fortitude Valley, we welcome patients to come in for a consultation for detailed, personalised advice.
Contact our team to book your consultation with one of our specialists today!