Your recovery from one-eye cataract surgery in Orange County should be complete in about one month, when your eye is completely healed. If you need cataract surgery on both eyes, your surgeon should wait at least a few days to two weeks between working on the first and second eye. For additional information regarding cataract surgery in orange County, reach out to our experts at Advanced Eye Medical today.
Here is a step-by-step guide to post-surgery recovery.
Surgery and Immediately After
Typical cataract surgery is a very simple procedure and usually takes about 10 minutes to perform. You will spend longer in the recovery room – about 30 minutes to an hour– waking up from anesthesia until you are less groggy and ready to go home.
The Ride Home
You must find a family member or friend to drive you home after your surgery. You cannot drive the day of your surgery under any circumstances. You will be given protective sunglasses to wear on the trip home to keep the bright light and glare out of your eyes.
When you Get Home
You may feel sleepy and want to rest in bed for a few hours when you first get home. Depending on your surgeon’s advice, you may be able to remove the protective shield placed over your eye a few hours after your procedure. Just remember to replace the shield any time you lie down to sleep for the first several days.
Side Effects of Cataract Surgery
You vision may seem cloudy, blurry, or distorted when you first remove the eye shield. Not to worry – it can take some time for your eye to adjust to its new condition. During this period some patients can also report seeing “wavy” or distorted vision. If you do experience this, it shouldn’t last much more than an hour.
Red and bloodshot eyes are common because of damage done to blood vessels during surgery. This should go away within several days after surgery.
If you received anesthesia as an injection through the skin into the lower portion of your eye, you may experience bruising similar to a black eye immediately after surgery. This should also go away within a few days.
It is typical to have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon the day after surgery. If you continue to experience blurry vision or significant eye pain after this visit, contact your surgeon immediately.
Tips for Best Cataract Surgery Recovery
1. Make sure you are applying your doctor prescribed eye drops several times per day for at least the first week after surgery. These include antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection and anti-inflammatory eye drops.
2. Depending on the amount of inflammation you have, you may need your anti-inflammatory eye drops for up to a month.
3. You may use oral pain relievers such as acetaminophen to relieve eye pain, which should be minimal.
4. Don’t do any strenuous activity for a few weeks.
5. Immediately after surgery, avoid bending over or putting extra pressure on your eye.
6. To help reduce the risk of infection, don’t swim or use a hot tub during the first week after surgery.
7. Don’t rub your eye (which is always a good idea.)
8. Don’t expose your eyes to irritants such as grime, dust, and wind during the first few weeks after surgery.
The Future of Cataract Surgery
• Robots and technicians will take over for surgeons
• Laser-assisted surgery will continue to grow
• Technology will allow successful cataract procedures on both eyes during a single session, and this will become the norm
• Patients will be treated sitting upright rather than lying on an operating table
• Dilation of the pupil – an inconvenience that incapacitates patients for half a day – may no longer be necessary
• Finally, alternative potential strategies involving genetics are being explored for the prevention of cataracts that could lead to the end of cataract surgery
Cataract Surgery in Orange County
At Advanced Eye Medical, we know how frustrating cataracts can be. Dr. Gosheh and his team are experts at treating and eliminating cataracts, using the most advanced techniques to get your vision back were it needs to be. If you think you might be suffering from cataracts, or are already diagnosed, contact us today at 949-582-1090 and we will be happy to help.