Important Things You Should Know After Cataract Surgery

As you reach in your 50s, you will hear your doctor say that you have a cataract that needs surgery. It is common to get cataract surgery these days and is not risky at all.  

Cataract Surgery is nothing but the removal of the cloudy lens from your eyes. Any eye surgery sounds scary, but advanced cataract surgery is truly one of the safest ways to remove the cataract. 

Most recent cataract procedures involve the usage of a high-frequency ultrasound device that breaks the cloudy lens into small pieces; they are then gently removed from the eye with the help of suction. The new procedure is called phacoemulsification and uses smaller incisions than previous surgical techniques for cataract removal. This new procedure promotes faster healing and recovery of the eyes than earlier methods of surgery.

But no matter the surgery, there is always aftercare involved that needs attention. And cataract surgery is no exception. 

You must share your medical history with your doctor do avoid complications in the surgery. Some health conditions need more care and attention from the doctors, and preparation for the operation would differ. 

The Preparation: Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery usually lasts only about 15 minutes, provided you have no complications due to health conditions. But you need to be at the medical center for 90 minutes or longer because the doctors need you to prepare for surgery. Doctors need to dilate your pupil, administer the medications before the surgery, and for a short post-operative examination and instructions about your recovery before your discharge. 

Avoid driving home after the surgery. Have someone drive you home; do not try to drive your car until your doctor says you are fine to drive again. 

The Recovery: Cataract Surgery

During the first week after the surgery, you must keep in mind the following for faster recovery:

• Avoid vigorous activity and heavy lifting.
•  Avoid exercising that might stress your eye while recuperating.
• Avoid getting water into your eyes. Keep your eyes shut when you are taking a shower to avoid getting an infection.
• Avoid places that expose recovering eyes to dust and cause infection.

You are supposed to wear post-operative sunglasses. They are given to you when discharged. Please make sure you wear them as soon as you leave the facility. It is to make sure that your eyes are safe from the harsh sunlight and dust. You must also wear a protective cover when you sleep for at least a week after the surgery. You are prescribed medicated eye drops that you must use every day till you recover. Your doctor will say when to stop using those while prescribing them to you. 

While recovering, you may have blurred vision and eye redness, and it may continue for weeks after the surgery. Do not let it scare you as it is a part of recovery and quite common. People sometimes report dry eye and itchy sensation in eyes after the cataract surgery, but these sensations do subside eventually.

The Follow-Up: Cataract Surgery

You need to follow instructions and recommendations by a doctor for better and faster recovery. Make sure that you visit your doctor or give them a call if you notice any abnormalities amidst recovery. You will be asked for a follow-up after your surgery to check if your eyes are okay or not. Just remember that recovery depends upon person to person. Some people heal faster than others, so if you are the one who is improving a little slower than others, do not worry about it. 

If possible, appoint a caregiver to provide care to your recuperating loved ones. Caregivers tend to the patient’s needs and assist them for a speedy recovery. Caregivers take care of all the requirements that a patient needs, like giving the medicines on time. And especially after the cataract surgery there one needs to put a prescribed eye drop in the concerned eye at regular intervals. If you can’t be with the patient, then it’s better to appoint a caregiver, so he takes care of everything, and you are stress-free about your loved one. Hire a caregiver or an attendant at home to keep a check on your loved ones healthy and speedy recovery.