Cataract Surgery Recovery- Timeline, Diet, & Lifestyle Changes

Week-to-Week Recovery Timeline After Cataract Surgery

As cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, the patient is sent home on the same day. Immediately after the surgery, the patient will experience grittiness, watering, blurry vision, double vision, and blood spots in the eyes. These are temporary side effects of cataract surgery and improve within 4 weeks. The cataract operation recovery timeline is explained below- 

Week 1 of:

• In the initial days, the patient will experience blurry vision and double vision, which will improve as the treated eye adjusts to the newly implanted intraocular lens. 
• The eye might ache and feel tender as it heals. The patient will feel like there is sand in the eye. 
• Protective eyewear is given to the patient to ensure the patient doesn’t accidentally poke or rub the eyes. 
• The patient will meet the doctor on the next day after surgery to ensure that there is no vision loss and the eyes are healing properly. 
• The prescribed eye drops should be used as directed to reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and promote healing. 
• It’s important that the patient avoid strenuous activities that can strain the eyes. 

Week 2:

• The vision will continue to improve, but the patient may still experience some haziness or blurriness. 
• Most patients can resume their normal daily activities after the first week of recovery.
• The patient may still need to use the prescribed eye drops as directed by the surgeon.
• The patient can stop using the protective eye shield and watch TV or other digital screens from a distance. 

Week 3:

• Another follow-up appointment will be scheduled in the 3rd week so that the doctor can monitor the healing. 
• The patient’s vision will significantly improve at this point, and the pain and itchiness will be minimal. 
• The usage frequency of steroid drops will be tapered off. 
• The patient can resume basic activities but still needs to avoid strenuous activities or contact sports. 

Week 4: 

• By this time, most patients fully recover from cataract surgery.
• The vision will significantly improve within 4 weeks. 
• The doctor may advise to continue using eye drops if necessary. 

If the patient experiences symptoms like eye pain, redness, crusting, eye floaters, or the vision gets worse after surgery, he/she should get in touch with the doctor immediately.

Lifestyle Changes Recommended After Cataract Surgery

Here are some lifestyle changes that are usually recommended by the doctor after cataract surgery: 

• Avoid Strenuous Activities: For the first few days after surgery, the patient will be advised to avoid any strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, bending, or exercising. It is also important to avoid rubbing the eyes to prevent infection or injury. 
• Use Eye Protection: The patient is advised to wear an eye shield or protective glasses while sleeping or during activities that could injure the treated eye.
• Use Prescribed Eye Drops: The surgeon will prescribe eye drops to use after surgery to help prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. It’s essential to use these drops as directed. 
• Attend Follow-up Appointments: You will need to attend follow-up appointments with the surgeon to ensure that the treated eye is healing correctly and that the vision is improving as expected. 
• Wear Sunglasses: After cataract surgery, the treated eye may be more sensitive to light. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can help protect the eye from harmful rays. 
• Avoid Swimming and Hot Tubs: For the first few weeks after surgery, the patient should strictly avoid swimming and hot tubs. The water in pools and hot tubs usually contains chemicals like chlorine which can cause irritation and infection in the eyes. 
• Quit Smoking: Smoking impairs healing abilities by narrowing the blood vessels and restricting blood flow. Thus, the patient is advised to quit smoking or at least try to avoid it during the recovery period. 

Following these lifestyle changes can help promote a smooth recovery and reduce the risk of complications after cataract surgery.