What will I experience after my cataract surgery

Recovering at home

When you get home, we recommend that you eat as normal to avoid any potential stomach upset that the oral medication might cause.

We’ll give you written instructions on what to do and when. You’ll need to put in eye drops to aid in the healing of your eyes and to protect against infection for about three weeks. It is very important that you wash your hands well before putting in any drops. You’ll also be required to take some tablets to help the recovery process. It’s vitally important that you don’t rub your eyes, which is why we provide you with clear plastic eye shields to wear for the first four nights, so you can’t accidently rub your eyes in your sleep.

You need to avoid having pets in your bedroom during the first few days after cataract surgery. The same goes for small children who happen to have red eye or any other eye problems. If you find yourself in this situation, call our emergency line immediately so we can adjust your treatment.

Restrictions after cataract surgery

To avoid complications, it is critical that you follow strict guidelines after cataract surgery:

• Week one: No eye make-up, no swimming and low-impact exercise only.
• Week two: No swimming, but gym, aerobics, weights, running and other physical exercise are all okay.
• Up to three weeks: You should not engage in any form of contact sport, such as football, basketball or martial arts. Do not drive until you are comfortable with your vision. Do not use any eye drops or eye treatments that have not been prescribed for you by our doctors.

Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure all over the world, but as with any surgery, a small number of patients may experience some problems. Serious complications are extremely rare, however, and occur in fewer than 0.5 per cent of cases.

Cataract surgery aftercare

To ensure the success of your surgery, we provide comprehensive aftercare via a 24/7 emergency line and a schedule of follow-up appointments.

24/7 emergency line

Once you’re at home, you can talk to us in person 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our 24-hour emergency line ensures you receive personal and professional support any time you need it.

You must call us immediately if you experience the following symptoms: sudden pain, sudden vision loss, injury to your eye, or nausea, vomiting, or excessive coughing.

Follow-up appointments

You will be given a schedule of follow-up appointments to visit our clinic one day, one week, three weeks, and then every year after your procedure. It is imperative that you return for your appointments so we can monitor your recovery. Regular yearly check-ups are essential to continually assess your vision.

What to expect in the first four weeks

For most people, driving vision is achieved after a couple of days.

Visual acuity gradually improves over a period of several days, although in some cases it can take little longer. While you may still need occasionally to wear glasses, your unaided vision should be restored within three to four weeks. However, this depends upon the overall health of your eyes.

If cataract surgery is not performed on both eyes at once, and there is a significant interval between surgery on your right and left eye, you might also require temporary glasses to balance your eyesight; your visual coordination may be slightly impaired. We recommend you avoid driving until you feel comfortable with your vision.