After surgery, your eye may feel scratchy, sticky, or uncomfortable. Like any surgical procedure, there is a recovery period after having cataract surgery. Many patients report clear vision within several hours after cataract surgery. Is the problem related to increased pressure when you bend over or just heart rate and increased blood flow? Uncomplicated cataract surgery usually takes no longer than about 10 minutes to perform. Common misconceptions: Many patients think that they can't bend over after cataract surgery. Here are 7 things that you shouldn't do after cataract surgery: Drive. Dr. Gregory Pamel explains how soon you can reasonably travel after cataract surgery, including flying & driving for New York City patients. How long does recovery take? You should also avoid rubbing your eye. It's recommended that you avoid exercise and even bending over for 1 to 2 weeks following cataract surgery. For a safe and speedy cataract surgery recovery, follow these tips: Don't drive on the first day. Continue using your usual glaucoma drops in the other eye. Just wondering because some things make it sound so easy, like you just can't perform STRENUOUS tasks while other warn against things like . Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. 8900 North Kendall Drive Miami, Florida 33176 By the second week, you can . Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye and, in most cases, replace it with an artificial lens. . These 5 tips from a Johns Hopkins expert help you get through the healing process and have your vision restored on time. The team at Sambursky Eye & Esthetics has completed over 35,000 successful cataract surgeries for residents of the Binghamton area, and we look forward to providing improved vision and eye health to a growing number of patients in the years to come. Last medically reviewed on March 2, 2021 After the surgery, your vision might seem distorted or slightly cloudy when you first take off your eye shield but don't be alarmed. So How Long is Vision Blurry After Cataract Surgery? Do your best to not rub your eye (s) after surgery. Do not bend over or do any strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 2 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay. Never rub your eye or splash water in your eye as it might increase the chance of infection. 10% of patients experience a build-up of debris behind the new lens that is fitted during cataract surgery. If anything enters your eye or it starts itching, better consult your . If you do get anything in your eye, whether it's shampoo or . Strenuous activity (like lifting something) can increase your eye pressure levels. It will take four to six weeks for your eye to fully heal. But it could take 3 to 10 weeks to get the full benefits of surgery and to see as clearly as possible. To help prevent infections, do not swim or use a hot tub. LASIK/Near Vision: 713-395-1515 Medical: 713-797-1010 You just don't notice how frequently you bend down to pick up things until you are suddenly forbidden from doing it! Please ask your surgeon about this question as it pertains to you. This is fixed with a simple outpatient laser procedure. So you should expect your eyes to have stabilized 2-4 months after the surgery. 04/22/2013. In general, it's safe to do light exercise the first week after cataract surgery. After 24 hours of surgery, you can shower and shampoo when you've visited the doctor's office and removed the eye shield. We would be happy to answer your questions or address your concerns over the phone, via email or in person. You may even want to wait longer, as many people have light sensitivity for a few days after surgery. At least for the first week after cataract surgery, you should not bend over so that your head is below your knees. As the condition progresses, eyesight in the affected eye will be impaired. At least for the first week after cataract surgery, you should not bend over so that your head is below your knees. And every ophthalmologist provides a similar restriction after surgery. The visual outcome following repair was good in the majority of cases, but eyes with expulsion of lens implant and/or vitreous loss tended to have a relatively poor outcome. Call us at (607) 200-3221 or request an appointment to learn more. The hardest part is to keep from bending or lifting objects in the first week. Don't do any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a few weeks. They can perform an eye exam to help determine the cause. Yes, someone's vision will seem very clear following the surgery. If at all possible, don't sneeze or vomit right after surgery. Your eye will feel normal again 24 hours after surgery. 115 East 61st Street, Suite #1B . 786-596-1960. However, your sensitivity to light may persist for a few more days. A common question among cataract patients is if they can watch TV after the procedure. Yes, bend over will cause hurt to your eyes after cataracts surgery which you need to pay a lot of attention to. Your surgeon will provide you with a protective eye shield following surgery. Vision clears quickly, and complete healing takes about eight weeks. This can take about an hour. For many, going through the procedure is the easy part. Cataract surgery is permanent so you won't need the same surgery in the same eye again. Even though you may not be able to prevent a sneeze, you can keep yourself out of potentially triggering scenarios. If you only had cataract surgery, use your glaucoma eye drops before and after surgery. You should also not smoke or drink which will make the cataracts . It may also water more than usual. Contact the eye doctor promptly if you have floaters after cataract surgery. Cataract surgery medically requires patients to severely pay attention to the following aspects: Three months right after the surgery, acute exercises and sport activities must be avoided, especially bending down. 1. You had cataract surgery. Consequently, how long does it take for vision to clear after cataract surgery? Early signs include cloudy vision, difficulty seeing at night, light sensitivity, and seeing excessive glare. If at all possible, don't sneeze or vomit right after surgery. Following the surgery, you might feel grittiness in the eye or even a feeling like there is a grain of sand in the eye. Do not perform heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Click to see full answer. Most people see better 1 to 3 days after surgery. As you heal, there are a few things to consider in the first two weeks after surgery that will help your recovery time: Do not drive until after the first day following your surgery. Here are our top five tips to minimise cataract surgery recovery time. Immediately after the procedure, avoid bending over, to prevent putting extra pressure on your eye. You shouldn't drive at least 24 hours after cataract surgery. But it could take 3 to 10 weeks to get the full benefits of surgery and to see as clearly as possible. Don ts after the surgery. The usual surgery takes about 10 minutes to perform successfully without complications, but you'll need to rest in a recovery room until your sedation wears off. There isn't a prescribed amount of time. Eyes that had undergone cataract surgery through corneal sections were more prone to wound dehiscence than those operated on via a limbal approach. 23 Answers to Your Cataract Surgery Questions. Your doctor may send you home with a bandage, patch, or clear shield on your eye. Hi, I was wondering why you can't bend over or lift objects after cataract surgery. Elevated intraocular pressure is one of the most frequent complications for patients that have cataract surgery. Blurry vision. Generally, any pain and discomfort from cataract surgery subside within a few days after the outpatient procedure. Otherwise, it falls in the post-op period for the cataract and probably won't be paid. Can I bend over and lift things after cataract surgery? Several hours following the surgery, most patients are able to watch some television or look at a computer screen for a short period of time. I wanted to provide you with a definitive list of what you can safely do after your cataract surgery, the things to avoid and more importantly the reasons why. It's usually considered safe to wash your hair 24 hours after you have cataract surgery. Recovering from cataract surgery is pretty simple; however following these 6 tips will help you minimize the potential risks. Most of the time, this is caused by normal swelling in the eye which occurs as a part of surgery. Here are our top five tips to minimise cataract surgery recovery time. boomerang139. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, gardening, and dusting for 1 to 2 weeks. This will keep you from rubbing your eye. Your doctor will also give you eyedrops to help your eye heal. It is very common to have blurry or unclear vision in the days and sometimes even weeks after cataract removal. Recovery from cataract surgery can be seamless as you ease back into your daily life. You could avoid a lot of things after the surgery. Typically this takes about 30 minutes to an hour. This can result from the very small incisions . If you have an allergy to cats, for example, avoid going to friends' homes that you know have cats. How long does vision stay blurry after cataract surgery? Wear Makeup I had my followup appointment in the afternoon of the same day. A cataract causes the lens to become cloudy, which eventually affects your vision. If you have had cataract and glaucoma surgery together, DO NOT use your glaucoma drops in the eye that was operated on until your doctor tells you to. Avoid rubbing the eye, touching the eye or aggravating the eye. Most people will see improvement within 24-48 hours after cataract laser surgery, although it can take up to two weeks for your eyes to fully settle to the new implants.Most patients are back to normal activities the next day. Learn why your eye doctor tells you not to sleep on your side after cataract surgery and more info from our eye care professionals. This can result from the very small incisions . When you know what to expect after cataract surgery, you can go into your surgery with confidence and better prepare for a relaxing recovery time. For a safe and speedy cataract surgery recovery, follow these tips: Don't drive on the first day. Most patients undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery may bend down after a day or two without complications. 10/30/2012. Immediately after the procedure, avoid bending over, to prevent putting extra pressure on your eye. Play it safe and wait until you know you can see the road well enough to drive! However, you should keep your eyes closed and avoid getting any water or shampoo in your eye, and, it's advised that you use a mild or baby shampoo. For most patients, these levels go down, but in the ones whose eye pressure levels . In the US, it is typical to with at least 90 days, because that is the insurance rule for payment for the YAG capsulotomy after cataract surgery. Patients with a gas bubble should avoid unnecessary movement, especially in a direction that may not be beneficial to their healing. Immediately after the surgery, you will rest in a recovery area until you are less groggy from sedation or anesthesia. (212) 355-2215. You should not sit in front of the computers for a long time. Step 3: Dip clean cotton cloth or gauze in the cooled down water. You must have someone available to drive you home after the procedure. If you think you have a cataract or have been diagnosed with . How long does vision stay blurry after cataract surgery? Showering and washing your hair is a matter of basic hygiene, but after cataract surgery, you need to be careful with both. Regarding driving, this depends on each patient's vision in the other eye and use of glasses, but generally, most patients can drive 1-2 days after surgery. "Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially . Cataract surgery is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis, which means . The Longer Term. Any strenuous activity, including exercise, should . Avoid rubbing the eye, touching the eye or aggravating the eye. Among other anxieties, they wonder how long does it take for their vision to clear up after cataract surgery. Answered By: John W Kitchens MD Don't do any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a few weeks. Most people will see improvement within 24-48 hours after cataract laser surgery, although it can take up to two weeks for your eyes to fully settle to the new implants.Most patients are back to normal activities the next day. It's normal to have: grittiness watering blurred vision double vision a red or bloodshot eye These side effects usually improve within a few days, but it can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully. If you need to bend down to pick something up, bend at the knees and keep your head upright. Skip to content 318-487-2020 1. MeSH terms Aged Do Not Rub, Touch or Aggravate the Eye. after surgery, your doctor will let you know whether you are safe to drive the next day. Your eye will feel normal again 24 hours after surgery. No: There are a few restrictions after cataract surgery including limiting water into the eye, limiting lifting heavy weights, and avoiding activity with a higher probability of e