What to Expect After Cataract Surgery

Going in for cataract surgery? Keep these pointers in mind

Cataract surgery is a quick, painless, day care procedure with a high success rate²². It is expected that your vision will be blurry for a few days after the surgery because the new lens needs time to adjust. After you safely recover from the surgery, your vision will return to pre-cataract clarity²³. Follow your eye surgeon’s instructions meticulously.

Here is a list of things to keep in mind to speed up recovery after the surgery:

What to do after cataract surgery?

• Wear an eye patch or shield for 3-4 hours after the cataract surgery, or as recommended by your eye surgeon²⁴. This is to protect your eye from any external infections.
• Clean the eye properly for a week with sterile cotton or gauze²⁵. The surgeon or the nursing staff will instruct you and your family caregivers on the correct procedure to clean the eye.
• Use the eye drops prescribed by the surgeon regularly. Wash your hands thoroughly before putting the drops in the eye²⁶. Keep the nozzle of the bottle clean.

What to avoid after cataract surgery?

• Don’t touch or rub your eye, even if you feel an itchy sensation.
• Don’t wear eye make-up, swim, and undertake heavy physical activities such as weightlifting for 1-2 weeks or as advised by your surgeon²⁷.