What to Expect Before, During, and After Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the most effective procedures for restoring vision affected by cloudy lenses. It can help to improve your vision and quality of life. 

If you’re preparing to undergo this procedure, we’re here to share everything you need to know about it in hopes of easing your anxiety and helping you feel more prepared for the surgery. 

Today, we’ll take you through what to expect before, during, and after cataract surgery, helping you feel confident and assured before the procedure. 

Before the cataract surgery 

Cataract surgery can only be performed if your doctor determines that you are a suitable candidate. 

Generally, you may be eligible for cataract surgery if you experience vision problems such as cloudy or blurred vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty reading or watching television, or colours appearing dim or faded. 

Your overall health will be examined to determine your eligibility, as well as the location of your cataracts. This will also help to determine if there are risk factors that could complicate the procedure. 

A few weeks before the procedure, your doctor will provide a list of pre-surgery instructions for you to follow. These often include stopping some eye-related medications and starting antibiotic eye drops to minimise your risk of infection. 

During the cataract surgery 

Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure and should last less than half an hour, but you should expect to be at the clinic for around 2 to 3 hours. 

It’s important to note that you’ll be awake during the procedure, but a local anaesthetic will numb your eye to keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout. 

Here’s a step-by-step of what happens during cataract surgery: 

• The surgeon makes a tiny incision in your cornea using either a laser or a blade. This type of incision is self-sealing and generally does not require stitches afterwards. 
• To break up and remove the clouded lens, the surgeon uses ultrasound waves, allowing the emulsified material to be gently removed. 
• Once the cataract pieces have been removed, the surgeon inserts the new lens through the same incision, which then unfolds into the space where the cloudy lens was.
• Afterwards, your eyes will be covered with a bandage or shield, which you can remove within the day or on the following day, depending on your doctor’s orders. 

After the cataract surgery 

You won’t be able to drive yourself home right after the surgery, so make sure to arrange for a friend or family member to come with you and take you home. 

Your vision may initially appear blurry and unstable, and colours might seem unusually brighter, but this is completely normal. It should stabilise gradually over the next few days and weeks. 

You may also experience side effects such as eye grittiness, excessive tearing, redness and bloodshot eyes. 

Depending on your doctor’s instructions, you may need to wear an eye shield during sleep, wear sunglasses when outside, and use anti-inflammatory eye drops several times a day to reduce inflammation. 

The entire recovery period from cataract surgery may take about a month, but you should notice a gradual improvement in your vision as weeks go by. 

When it comes to follow-up consultations, make sure to see your doctor a day after your surgery. The next ones should be scheduled one week, one month, two months, and six months after surgery. 

One final note: cataract surgery is generally considered safe, but like any surgery, it carries some risk. For instance, the risk of infection increases if postoperative care instructions are not followed properly.