It’s no secret that recovery after any type of surgery can be quite an inconvenience to everyday life. However, cataract surgery just might be the exception. This is because it’s a minimally invasive procedure, leading to a recovery that is both fast and uncomplicated if patients follow their surgeon’s post-op instructions. Are you scheduled to undergo cataract surgery? Here’s everything you need to know about the recovery so you can heal complication-free!
What to expect after your Los Angeles cataract surgery
Straight after your surgery, it’s likely that your vision may seem fuzzy or cloudy. If you find that this is the case for you, don’t worry! Distorted vision after cataract surgery is common since it may take your eyes a while to adjust to the artificial lens that was placed during the procedure. This is an issue that resolves itself over time as the eye heals. In most cases, patients experience a significant improvement to their vision quality within hours after surgery, although for some it may take anywhere between a couple days to two weeks.
Similarly, you may experience slight discomfort in your eyes in the days after your surgery. This includes itchy, watery or dry, and sore eyes, as well as an inability to see well in brightly lit spaces. As with the distorted vision, these issues go away on their own as you recover.
What does recovery from Los Angeles cataract surgery look like
Corrective eye surgery in general is known to have a simple recovery with straightforward instructions, and cataract surgery is no different. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to be cautious or care for your eyes while they heal. Your surgeon will explain to you in detail exactly what you need to do in order to make sure your recovery goes without complications. Here’s a brief summary of what these steps will entail helping ensure a smooth recovery.
- Use your eye drops accordingly– After your cataract surgery, your surgeon will give you medicated eye drops. These drops are used to prevent eye infection and inflammation, so it’s important that you use them so your eyes can heal properly. Make sure you take them as prescribed and read the instructions thoroughly.
- Avoid putting pressure on your eyes– Your eyes will be very fragile after surgery, so it’s best to take it easy in the days following your procedure. This means that you shouldn’t put any unnecessary pressure on them. This is done by avoiding strenuous exercise, bending over, and lifting heavy items.
- Wear your eye shield– Surgeons commonly recommend that cataract surgery patients wear eye shield while sleeping. They are meant to help protect the eyes from any disturbance to the healing process that may occur while you sleep. These shields are often worn for the first week after the procedure.
- Keep your eyes free from irritants– After your laser vision correction procedure at a reputable clinic like Excel Laser Vision Correction in Los Angeles, you’ll have to be extra careful to avoid putting your eyes near irritants during the recovery period. This includes water, dirt, makeup, and anything else that can upset your eyes. In some cases, exposure to irritants may lead to infection so it’s important to avoid these elements as often as possible while the eyes heal.
- Avoid rubbing the eyes– It goes without saying that rubbing your eyes can disrupt the healing process. Try not to be rough with your eyes and avoid rubbing them as much as possible in order to encourage a smooth recovery.
As you can see, most of the instructions revolve around being cautious with the eyes as they recover. Just follow the post-op directions as instructed by your surgeon and you’re all set to have amazing vision free from the cloudiness of cataracts!