Cataract surgery...how long does it take to heal?

[Scottie Mom]

It looks like I have a cataract in my left eye. Right eye is 20/20, but need surgery on the left.

From start to finish, how long does it take to get back to taking care of yourself? I hate to be dependent on anyone.

Thanks for any info!

[LakeArenal]

1. Over night.

The worst for me was Dr said don’t focus on anything. So no TV No Phone for the night.

[Tetrachloride]

2. I put on a favorite movie and just listen.

[LakeArenal]

3. Yes. One you've seen so many times you can recite.

[Scottie Mom]

7. I do audio books...that should do the trick.

Will have one set up and ready to go.

Glad it was that easy...I am terrified.

[LakeArenal]

10. Don't be. Easy for me to say, I know.

But as another post says, it’s very common and most successful of all surgeries.

So you won’t be dependent on anyone.

However, on another note:

If you are fortunate to have people who love you enough to want to help you through the tough times, please let them.

When you love someone, it’s hard to give if the other won’t receive. just always pay it forward when you can.

Good luck and don’t loose sleep over this.

[Scrivener7]

18. I hear you. I'll need it too, down the line a little. Glad you asked the question because I'm

liking the answers.

Let us know how it goes and good luck.

[Sienna86]

4. Quickly

You’ll need a ride home. Then you do the drops for a week or so. I drove myself the next day for my check up. It’s all good. The anxiety beforehand was there but it goes quickly.

[Scottie Mom]

8. You drove the next day?

That amazes me! My biggest fear over this is that I will not be able to drive. i live alone and fend for myself. Not being able to get around would be a nightmare.

[demosincebirth]

32. You don't do drops anymore after surgery. They use cortisone

[JohnSJ]

5. Most important post surgery is the eye drops. Your vision should be fine very quickly. The

actual healing should take about two months, but you shouldn’t realize any diminished vision or experience any uncomfortable feelings during that time

Just follow you doctor’s instructions.

It is a very common and very successful procedure

[Scottie Mom]

6. Thank you for the info on how fast you can get back to "normal."

Except for having my tonsils out when I was 4 and for a fix on a broken toe that that did not heal straight when was mid-30s, that is the extent of my experience with surgery in nearly 75 years.

[markie]

9. easy peasy

as they say... no discomfort, no problems... I had both eyes done this spring and not to worry... I drove the next day... biggest concern is to not touch or rub your eye for a week or so

[Scottie Mom]

13. Wow...I figured my driving days were over and done.

My long-time gentleman friend had both eyes done and he drives, but he simply cannot drive at night. I am the one who always did this kind of driving. Also, he has a ton of trough driving if the sun is in his eyes.

Wow, I feel better talking with all of you. Thank you so much!

[JohnSJ]

24. You vision should be better than ever

[dflprincess]

15. I was pretty much back to normal the next day

Able to drive. They want you to be a bit careful for a few days, don't get water in the eye, wear the eye guard when you sleep (my doc said for 3 days, I used them for a week with each eye).

I spent most the time between the two surgeries marveling at how much better I was seeing in the "good" eye. It was like I had a piece of yellow cellophane over the eye the still needed suregry.

The weird thing is driving. I had wondered if they'd have to pop the lens out of the one side of my glasses until I had the 2nd surgery, but the sight in the first eye was so improved my doctor said I didn't need to wear glasses when I drove. It's amazing how the good eye just takes over.

As noted above, just use the eye drops like they tell you to do both before & after surgery.


BTW, the surgery itself is easy. Whatever drug was used kept me awake but made me pretty much unaware of what was going on - and the prep took longer than the procedure.

[demosincebirth]

33. You are right

[samnsara]

11. not long..was cake..decided to get my other eye done as soon as i saw white was white

...and not cream color......so the next day.



and ya get good drugs!

[Scottie Mom]

16. I see colors OK, but it's like looking through waxed paper with my left eye.

I used to be horribly near sighted as a kiddo and then my vision corrected itself to 20/20 right eye and 20/40 left eye when I was in my 50s. Suddenly, however, the left eye went back to about 20/200.

[IggleDuer]

12. On the ride home, I sneaked a peak under my protective shield.

I saw better than ever!

[Scottie Mom]

14. Thank you, DU!

I have been so concerned over this...have laid awake thinking about losing my eyesight. I am already very hearing impaired and the thought of not being able to see and take care of myself -- like getting to where I had to go by driving -- has been terrifying.

Wow, I feel so much better!

[LastDemocratInSC]

17. Quickly, as mentioned, but wear the protective eye cover they provide.

It will prevent damage during the first few nights if you rub your eyes while asleep. That can slow healing.

[rsdsharp]

19. I think different doctors deal with recovery in slightly different ways.

My ophthalmologist couldn’t do mine, because my eyes don’t dilate beyond 2mm. I was referred to a surgeon at a university hospital because of the risk of the iris tearing during surgery. Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

You will need someone to drive home after surgery. For a time the day after, my vision in the affected eye was cloudy, but that cleared up quickly. My sight was pretty much normal within a couple of days.

For the first week, I slept elevated, with an eye shield. I could shower, but had to avoid direct spray to the eye, and gently pat it dry. I was also advised not to bend over for that week.

I found that the drops were the worst thing. Four weeks, starting four times a day, then tapering to three, two and one in subsequent weeks. I also had a different set beginning the second week, because I’m diabetic. The interaction of the two made my eyelids itch terribly.

All, in all, it was easy, and the recovery very quick. If you will need glasses afterwards, you’ll need to wait 6-8 weeks to make sure the healing is complete. I have new glasses, but rarely wear them; this after being terribly near sighted my whole life. Good luck.

[Scottie Mom]

21. Thank you for the detailed info.

I, too, had been nearsighted as a child and teen. As I aged, my eye sight became better and better re distance vision. Never needed reading glasses. All of a sudden, however, the left eye went south.

Only need the left eye done...my right is 20/20 and I don't need reading glasses with this eye.

[onecaliberal]

20. Needed a ride home. Pretty much was ready to go next day.

With the added benefit of 20/20 vision in the eye again.

[Scottie Mom]

22. Wow...that is wonderful!

I am so glad I asked about this. Scared to death...and now now so frightened.

[onecaliberal]

23. I didn't have pain or complications of any kind.

I was given drops that I put in my eyes before I went to the surgery center. They put me in “twilight’ sleep, I don’t remember anything. Woke up to someone calling my name, opened my eyes and could already see. I was mad that I waited so long, but I didn’t want to do it during COVID.

[demosincebirth]

34. I loved that twilight zone, didn't give a shit about anything

[Chainfire]

25. It takes less time to get over than having a tooth filled and is less painful.

I have had both eyes done and so has my wife. My suggestion is to not watch videos of the procedure, that are available online, it looks frightful.

And, by the way, get the premium lenses. I didn't and wish that I did. I now see like an eagle in the distance but can no longer read without glasses. Had I shelled out the extra five grand, I would not need the reading glasses.

[Scottie Mom]

26. Not sure what you mean by premium lenses. EOM

[Chainfire]

27. They are bifocal rather than single correction.

My insurance paid in full for the single correction, but you were out of pocket for the bifocal lenses. I had always worn glasses, so I didn't think it was worth it. In hindsight, I should have bit the bullet and forked over the money and been free from glasses for life.

[Scottie Mom]

28. Oh, you are talking about glasses!

I know so little about cataract surgery I thought you were talking about lenses that were put into your eyes!

With my good eye, the right one, I do not need reading glasses. So I am hoping that after the surgery on the left eye, it will be the same.

[Chainfire]

29. No, not glasses, the surgical implant that replaces your lens. They come in two types,

single correction or bifocal correction. The Dr. will go over all of that with you. Just don't worry about it, the procedure is a piece of cake.

[Scottie Mom]

30. You can see how little I know about all of this.

I had no clue that there are different lenses for your eyes.

[Chainfire]

31. The only thing I know about it is from my experience of getting it done.

Your Dr. will go over this with you, and he or she will most likely try to sell you on the more expensive lens and then you will get an explanation from an eye doctor instead of a plumber.

[demosincebirth]

35. The bifocal lens are a little pricey