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Recovery from cataract surgery
Before we talk about recovering from cataract surgery, let’s first understand what a cataract is. The function of the lens of the eye is to refract the light rays that enter the eye to aid in the vision process. To perform its function effectively, the lens must be transparent and when suffering from cataracts, the lens becomes cloudy due to the breakdown of the proteins in it and vision is impaired. In cataracts, vision is likened to looking through a foggy or dusty car window. Also, things may look blurry, hazy, or less colorful. The only way to remove a cataract is surgery, and cataract surgery is the most common eye surgery. It is safe and effective, and the recovery is usually easy and without complications, and you can usually return to your normal life within a few days.
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Cataract surgery: The surgery is done under local anesthesia and usually takes less than an hour. The surgeon will make a tiny incision in the front of the eye through which the cloudy lens will be removed and then the new lens, made of plastic, silicone or acrylic, will be inserted and the incision will be closed.
If there are cataracts in both eyes, two separate surgeries will likely be performed, usually a few weeks apart to allow the first eye a chance to heal.
Most patients are instructed to use eye drops 3-4 times a day for 4 weeks after surgery to protect the eye from infection and inflammation.
Complications and side effects after cataract surgery
Complications in cataract surgery are few, and cataract surgery is among the most common and successful surgical procedures performed today.
When nevertheless, as in any procedure, complications may appear in cataract surgery including:
- Posterior capsule occlusion (PCO), which is one of the most common complications of cataract surgery.
In some cases, the back of the lens capsule becomes cloudy over time and causes blurred vision.
This process can occur within months or years after cataract surgery.
Although some call posterior capsule opacity a “secondary cataract”, it is not really a cataract because once the cataract is removed, it does not return.
Fortunately, the YAG laser can treat posterior capsular opacities safely, effectively, and painlessly.
- Intraocular displacement – Displacement of the artificial lens within the lens bag which can cause double vision or even see the tip of the implant.
In such a case, a procedure must be performed as quickly as possible to return the implant to its place.
- Eye infection – inflammation caused by bacterial infection during surgery can cause a number of symptoms such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, red eyes and a droopy eyelid.
These symptoms pass by themselves with time or after treatment with anti-inflammatory drops. - High intraocular pressure – special gels used during surgery may temporarily increase the pressure in the eye.
- Retinal detachment – Retinal detachment can occur months or years after a successful cataract procedure.
In rare cases, cataract surgery can lead to retinal detachment which manifests itself in flashes of light, seeing floating bodies and decreased vision.
After cataract surgery
Don’t be alarmed when you first remove the eye shield after surgery as the vision is likely to be hazy, blurred or distorted.
It may take some time for the visual system to adjust to the removal of the cataract and to fit the intraocular lens used to replace the natural lens.
During this adjustment period, some patients report “wavy” vision or distortions.
This phenomenon, if present, should only last about an hour.
The recovery time from cataract surgery is short and any pain and discomfort should disappear within a few days.
However, depending on the nature and size of the cataract, the physiology and healing capacity of each patient, full recovery can take from four to eight weeks.
For a few days after surgery, the eye may itch or hurt and there may even be difficulty seeing well in bright light.
It will often be necessary to use eye drops to prevent infection or inflammation.
For a few days you should drive moderately or avoid driving if you don’t feel safe enough, and it is recommended not to bend down and lift heavy things.
You should also avoid putting soap or water directly into the eye, rubbing or exerting any pressure on the eye.
The ophthalmologist should be consulted about how active you can be shortly after surgery and when you can safely return to driving or do other activities again.
For the first week, the doctor will likely recommend wearing an eye shield, at least while sleeping, to protect the surgical site and allow the eye to heal.
If you suffer from pain or feel that the eye is not healing properly, you should contact your doctor immediately.
After about eight weeks, the eye should be completely healed and many patients report clear vision within a few hours after cataract surgery, however, everyone heals differently, and it may take a week or two before vision is optimal.
About 90% of people see better after cataract surgery, however, vision should not be expected to be perfect and it may still be necessary to wear glasses or contact lenses.
Recovery after cataract surgery is mostly a personal matter, but the ophthalmologist is still involved.
The attending physician will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that the eye is healing properly. In any case where there is a worsening of vision, an increase in eye pain, no decrease in redness and swelling or the presence of discharge from the eye, the attending physician must be notified immediately.
