Cataracts are extremely common, and affect nearly 21 million Americans over 40; more than six million Americans have had cataract surgery to date. If your eye surgeon has deemed you a good candidate for this surgery, you may wonder what you can expect in terms of timeline and recovery.

Today, we’ll take a look at what to expect after cataract surgery in Austin TX. Hint: recovery doesn’t take as long as you think!

A Quick and Painless Procedure

Quick and painless, cataract surgery removes a cloudy lens that has been causing vision issues. You will get a new lens that corrects both nearsightedness and farsightedness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, surgery improves vision for 97 percent of patients, and most people do not experience complications.

Cataract surgery is still the only way to treat cataracts in adults. This quick outpatient procedure has a fast recovery, with most people feeling little to no pain during or after the surgery. You will get a topical anesthetic in the form of eye drops that numb your eye; shortly after surgery, you may feel a gritty or tender sensation in your eye, but it’s nothing a little over-the-counter pain medicine can’t fix.

The Timeline

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes about 10 to 20 minutes. During surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the front of your eye to remove the old lens and insert a new one.

You will be expected to wear a protective shield over your eye to ensure optimal healing. You may have to wear this covering for a few nights while sleeping. Be sure not to touch or rub your eyes.

Your eye will heal in two stages:

  • In the first 24 hours, the incision starts to close and the surface of the eye will seal shut.
  • It can take another few weeks for the smooth barrier underneath your eye’s surface to fully heal, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

You will be given prescription antibiotic eye drops to keep infection at bay as well as anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce internal swelling. You may also be given a prescription pain reliever, but in most cases OTC medications will be enough.

As you recover, blurriness and discomfort are normal. Keep these things in mind post-surgery:

  • Your vision may be blurry when first taking off the protective eye shield. It takes time for your brain to adjust to the new lens.
  • It’s normal to have redness in the whites of your eyes, as the surgery causes temporary damage to the blood vessels. This will disappear in a few days.
  • It’s common to feel a scratchiness or have a sensation that something is in your eye; this will go away with healing.

What’s not normal?

  • Vision loss
  • Eye pain
  • Flashing lights (some floaters are normal after cataract surgery)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Excessive coughing

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your ophthalmologist right away.

Resuming Normal Activities

While you may be eager to resume driving, exercising, working, and performing daily tasks, keep these considerations in mind:

  • Sneezing, coughing, bending down: Make sure your head doesn’t go below your waist for the first 48 hours after surgery. This increases eye pressure and can prevent proper healing. If you have to cough or sneeze, be as gentle as you can.
  • Driving: Your ophthalmologist will tell you when it’s safe for you to drive, usually a few days. You may want to avoid night driving for a few days after that just to be safe.
    Strenuous activity and exercise: In most cases, you can engage in very light exercise, such as walking, the day after your surgery. Wait a week to resume more strenuous activities such as running, biking, tennis, and sex. Do not swim for two weeks to minimize risk of infection and irritation. You may shower the day after your surgery, but do not allow the stream of water to hit your eye.
  • Reading, computer, TV: You can probably resume these activities within several hours of your surgery but if you notice initial blurriness, this is normal ( your brain and eyes will need some time to adjust to the new lens)

A Look at Our Approach

Here at Broberg, cataract surgery is done only on one eye at a time. There is typically about a two- to four-week lapse between surgeries for the first eye and second eye. Post op, there is a one-day follow-up appointment and a one-week follow-up appointment to monitor recovery.

While lasers can be used, we prefer traditional cataract surgery, which uses handheld instruments such as a blade and forceps to make the incisions and remove the lens. Another method in which we are experienced in performing this surgery is phacoemulsification, where ultrasound energy is used to break up the cloudy lens, which is then removed by suction. Studies do not show that laser surgery results in fewer complications, or that it ensures better outcomes. Your outcome will largely depend on the experience and skill level of your surgeon. You are encouraged to discuss both traditional, phaco machine, and laser-assisted surgery options with your doctor to learn their preference and recommendation.

Book Your Cataract Surgery Consultation With Broberg Eye Care

To learn more about what to expect with cataract surgery, schedule an appointment for a consultation at (512) 447-6096. Our practice specializes in monofocal, multifocal, and toric lenses to help those with cataracts see more accurately and clearly.