After Cataract Surgery

Whether phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction has been performed, follow up care is identical after cataract surgery and healing is generally uncomplicated. With any cataract procedure, the surgical incisions are very small indeed. Stitches are often unnecessary. Healing within the eye generally should be fast and although vision at first may be blurry, it should begin to improve just a few days after the surgery.

Follow-up checks with the eye doctor normally begin the day after the surgery. They will then be scheduled as necessary after one week and one month to ensure all is healing correctly. Driving may not be possible until healing has progressed sufficiently.

If cataract surgery is required in both eyes, the doctor will normally leave one to two months between surgeries. This allows the first eye to heal before facing the second cataract removal.

Normal Side Effects after Surgery
Be prepared for some minor itching in the eye after cataract surgery. There may be some feeling of discomfort but eyedrops and medication will be prescribed which should minimize these feelings, and prevent infection. Sensible precautions should be taken, including avoiding rubbing or pressing on the eye as it heals. Keep the eye clean and wash your hands before applying any eyedrops or medication to the eye. If the eyes have any type of discharge, carefully bathe the eyelids with clean water on cotton balls.

During the healing process, try not to bend over and pick things up, and do not lift anything heavy. Normal light housework, walking and climbing stairs are all perfectly acceptable chores which can be continued as usual. If necessary, wear an eye shield or protective cover over the eye on the day of surgery. Wear dark glasses to protect the eye as it heals, particularly if you live in a bright, sunny state. An eye patch is also a good idea at night initially, so that the eye does not get rubbed accidentally as you sleep.

All side effects and discomfort should have disappeared after a week, although eye drops should be continued as prescribed by your eye doctor. Complete healing takes around eight weeks after cataract surgery.

Abnormal Side Effects
Any of the following symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately:

• Pain which persists and is not improved by pain medications
• Vision loss
• Double Vision
• An increase in the redness of the eye
• Bleeding
• Light flashes or floating spots in your vision
• Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing

Developing an After-Cataract
Very rarely an after-cataract may occur. Vision becomes cloudy and blurred sometimes months or years after cataract surgery. The doctor will treat the after-cataract with a laser, making a tiny hole in the eye tissue behind the lens to allow the light to pass through.

The Use of Eye Glasses after Cataract Surgery
Most patients need glasses after having had cataract surgery. Some people need them just for reading and close work. Others may need them to correct astigmatism which may be caused by an uneven surface on the cornea. Astigmatism is a common problem after the removal of cataracts. The smaller the surgical incision which is necessary, the less significant this problem is likely to be.

Obviously the eye must be completely healed before glasses are prescribed, when the sight has stabilized. Your doctor will tell you how long to wait before being measured for glasses.

Related Articles:

• Cataract - Description, Causes and Treatment
• Are You a Good Candidate for Cataract Surgery?
• Cataract Surgery - What, Where and When of Cataract Surgery
• Multifocal Intraocular Lenses - A Good Choice for Cataract Patients
• New Lenses May Improve Vision Among Patients With Cataracts

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