Cataract surgery is not a painful procedure. If you ask a friend or colleague who might have had cataract surgery, they'll tell you that they feel a slight stinging sensation when we first place drops inside the eye at the start of the operation. But very soon after that, the eye is completely numb.
Many people complain that they feel like there is sand in the eye or that the eye feels scratchy after surgery. This is a normal sensation caused by the small incision in your eye, and it should heal within a week or so. If you have dry eye, the discomfort may last longer—up to three months.
Although increased IOP after cataract surgery—especially in the immediate postoperative period—is a potential cause of pain, I have found that the most common cause of postoperative pain is drying of the ocular surface from the preservatives in perioperative drops, exposure during surgery, and wound creation.
Quite the contrary, there is little or no discomfort during cataract surgery for most people. On the day of your surgery, you will most likely be given a mild sedative to help you relax and then numbing eye drops will be applied to your eye to prevent discomfort.
Cataract surgery is a straightforward procedure that usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. It's often carried out as day surgery under local anaesthetic and you should be able to go home on the same day.
You can read or watch TV right away, but things may look blurry. Most people are able to return to work or their normal routine in 1 to 3 days. After your eye heals, you may still need to wear glasses, especially for reading.
These side effects usually improve within a few days, but it can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully. If you need new glasses, you will not be able to order them until your eye has completely healed, usually after 6 weeks.
When the eye is completely numb, an instrument will be used to hold your eye open while the procedure is completed. This instrument ensures that you will not blink during cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the safest, most successful surgeries involving the eye.
Can you see during cataract surgery? Yes, you can see during cataract surgery. The procedure is simple and relatively short, anaesthetic drops will be applied to your eyes to prevent discomfort.
Here are some things that you may want to avoid before and after cataract surgery to ensure that you heal properly. Avoiding eating and drinking before your surgery. Don't wear makeup to the surgery appointment, and avoid wearing makeup until your ophthalmologist allows it so that you can better prevent infection.
IOL/lens displacement can occur only due to a forceful injury or rubbing or punching to the eye. Crying will not displace the lens.
The "big 3" potential problems that could permanently worsen vision after cataract/IOL surgery are: 1) infection, 2) an exaggerated inflammatory response, and 3) hemorrhage. Fortunately, these are quite rare nowadays, occurring less than 1% of the time.
Sleep on your back or on the opposite side of the eye that was operated on to decrease your risk of infection and irritation after surgery. If you turn over in your sleep, your eye shield should help protect your eye from significant damage.
Strenuous activity and exercise after cataract surgery
Most people can do very light exercise the day after surgery, including walking. For activities like biking, running, tennis, golf and sex, wait one week after your procedure.
Symptoms after surgery
During the night after your operation, you might have some mild discomfort. Please take simple painkillers (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen) if you need them.
What Happens if You Bend Over After Cataract Surgery? You should not bend over after cataract surgery for at least 2 weeks. Bending over will place pressure on the eye and this may cause unnecessary complications to your eye. The main complication will be a delay in the healing process.
Don't: Eat or Drink Right Before the Surgery
While under sedation, there is a chance of stomach acid going into your lungs, which can cause damage. You will need to fast for about 12 hours before surgery to ensure you are safe from this effect.
Practice Breathing
Practice deep, even breathing before cataract surgery so you can remain calm and relaxed. Count as you breathe in, hold, and breathe out, and aim to count to the same number each time. You can also easily find tutorials for calming breathing exercises online.
Blurry vision can vary from patient to patient—some people may have blurry vision for a day, while others experience blurriness for several days. While blurry vision is normal after surgery, blurred vision for weeks is concerning.
18. How long do I need to wear dark glasses outside after cataract surgery? Not everyone needs to wear sunglasses after cataract surgery. However, many patients find that they are more light-sensitive because more light enters the eye post-surgery.
Wear warm, comfortable, and practical clothing (avoid high heels) on the day of your surgery. Flat shoes with good, non-slip treading are best. You'll be given a gown to wear over your clothes and will not need to get changed for the procedure.
Phaco uses a small ultrasonic probe. This is a device that's inserted into the eye during the procedure. It emits sound waves at a high frequency, in order to break up the damaged lens into very small pieces. These pieces are then removed from the eye via suction, which is included in the same tiny probe.
While home, you may be allowed to remove your eye shield, but you should wear it when sleeping for at least a week to prevent eye injury. Full recovery from cataract surgery should be complete in about a month, although it can take up to three months for your eye to be completely healed.
In addition to wearing your eye shield at night, you will also want to avoid sleeping on the side that has been operated on. By reducing irritation, you can decrease your risk of infection and speed your recovery process. This is why your doctor tells you not to sleep on your side after cataract surgery.
Most patients wear it for a day. Wear your eye shield at night or while napping so you don't rub your eye while sleeping. Your doctor will tell you how many nights to do this. For most people it's from 1 to 7 nights.