After the procedure, you will most likely wait in a recovery room until the anesthesia begins to wear off. While you may feel well enough to drive yourself home, we strongly encourage all patients to have a family member or friend drive them home after cataract surgery.
Over the rest of the day you still may not be able to see well, it is for this reason that ophthalmologists advise that you have someone to help get you home and look after you on the day of surgery.
Immediately after cataract surgery
You will need to have a family member or friend with you to take you home.
do not allow soap or shampoo to get into your eye. do not drive until you get the all-clear from your doctor. do not do any strenuous exercise or housework. do not wear eye make-up for at least 4 weeks.
No strenuous (tough or challenging) exercise for 1 to 2 weeks after most retinal surgery. Light exercise, like walking, may be safe. Ask your doctor. No swimming (or direct exposure of water to the eyes) for 1 to 2 weeks after most retinal surgery.
Following Your Cataract Surgery
Once the surgery is complete, you will be placed in a recovery room for up to an hour while the anesthesia or sedation wears off.
Do not perform heavy lifting or strenuous activities. To help prevent infections, do not swim or use a hot tub. Do your best to not rub your eye(s) after surgery. Do not wear eye makeup and consider avoiding face cream or lotion.
This is so that the caretaker can stay with the patient and ensure there are no post-op complications, however rare they may be. Most patients are able to resume driving 24 hours after cataract surgery.
“High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”
Cataract surgery has a fast recovery rate with only a few restrictions to contend with. With the day of surgery excepted, no bed rest is required. Most patients can return to normal activities the following day.
Drink Plenty of Water
It may seem obvious, but drinking water is crucial before and after any surgical procedure. In addition, your eyes may feel dry after the surgery, so it's best to stay hydrated for a quick recovery.
A nurse will then cleanse the skin around the eye with an antiseptic (Povidone iodine). After this is done, you will be covered with a sterile drape which covers your face and upper body. This can be a little claustrophobic but the drape is very light and there is plenty of air underneath.
Wear comfortable clothes and avoid cosmetics.
You'll be given a gown to wear over your clothes and will not need to get changed for the procedure.
Moving your eye will not cause any problems during your surgery; however, it is important to keep your eyes fixed on the target.
Though it may be quite tempting, don't try to lift anything that's over 10 pounds in the first week after cataract surgery. If you consider yourself a weight lifter, avoid this exercise for at least 5 weeks to be safe.
At the completion of your cataract surgery, a lightweight protective shield will be placed over your eye, held in place with surgical tape. This shield will decrease the risk of injury from inadvertently rubbing or accidentally bumping your eye.
While everyone's recovery period is different and your eye doctor will likely give you instructions specific to your eye, let's go over some of the general do's and don'ts following cataract surgery -- starting with the things you can do: You can watch TV. You can be on your computer. You can shower or take a bath.
Cystoid Macular Edema
CME is the most frequent complication after an uncomplicated cataract surgery. Its peak incidence is about 6 to 8 weeks post-operatively.
After your cataract surgery, you'll be provided with an eye shield to protect your eye from dust, grime and anything else that could irritate your eye or cause infection. Sleeping on your back instead of your side can reduce the possibility of your eye shield slipping while you're wearing it overnight.
In the first day or two after cataract surgery
Your vision will seem hazy as your pupil will remain dilated for 24-48 hours after cataract surgery. Sunlight and artificial light will seem a lot brighter than normal as the dilated pupil lets in lots of light.
How long should you wear an eye shield after cataract surgery? People may need to wear an eye shield for 1 week after surgery.
You need to maintain a specific head position for at least three days after surgery. You will need to sleep with head tilted to the side opposite to where the retina break is found at the time of surgery to allow the gas bubble to keep the retina in place around the break area until the retina seals in that area.