How Safe Is Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty can widen your visual field and make your appearance more youthful. If you’re concerned about safety, here’s what you should know.
What to Expect After Laser Cataract Surgery
Many people get laser cataract surgery to replace their eyes’ clouded lenses and improve their eyesight permanently. Laser cataract surgery can ultimately lead to better night vision, improved reading, and fewer prescription changes for your glasses.
Ophthalmologist Vicki Lin, MD, helps you prepare for a smooth recovery after surgery at iSight Vision Care in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach, California. She performs individualized laser cataract surgery to replace clouded eye lenses with advanced intraocular lenses (IOLs).
Before you take the opportunity to improve your eyesight with laser cataract surgery, it’s important to learn about what to expect from the recovery period. Here’s what you should know.
Immediately after surgery
Right after laser cataract surgery at iSight Vision Care, you’ll stay in the office for several minutes as Dr. Lin monitors you for possible complications. You should expect to have someone pick you up from the office and safely drive you home.
You’ll leave the office with a protective shield over the eye that has undergone surgery. You can expect a few treatment side effects for at least the remainder of the day, including:
- Dry eyes
- Eye watering
- Bloodshot eyes
- Feeling like something is stuck in your eye
Blurry or unclear vision can last for days after surgery. This is a normal part of laser cataract surgery recovery and shouldn’t raise concern. Still, be sure to attend your follow-up visit so Dr. Lin can check in on your healing.
You may also experience some nausea right after your appointment. Dr. Lin encourages you to eat a full meal and drink plenty of fluids to feel better.
Managing your eyes during recovery
Dr. Lin gives you the tools you need to manage the healing process after laser cataract surgery. She may tell you to avoid certain activities in the days following your surgery, including:
- Driving
- Swimming
- Heavy lifting
- Bending down
- Exercising
- Wearing makeup on or around your eyes
- Working
- Rubbing or putting pressure on your eyes
You might need to take medications or use eyedrops to manage side effects as you heal. Anti-inflammatory eyedrops help reduce eye swelling and the blurry vision associated with it.
Dr. Lin might also recommend using artificial tears to help with dry eyes or grittiness. Use any eyedrops only according to their instructions, and be sure to report any concerning symptoms that last longer than a week.
Your eyes may be light-sensitive during the healing period after cataract surgery. This can last for months, so plan on wearing polarized sunglasses when you go outside into bright light.
How long does recovery take?
The recovery process after laser cataract surgery can look a little different for everyone who gets it. On average, a full recovery takes around four weeks. It won’t take quite this long to see an improvement in your vision, though. You should have clearer vision in a few days.
Schedule your consultation
If you have vision problems from cataracts, consider a laser cataract surgery consultation. Call iSight Vision Care or request an appointment online today.
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