Cataracts tend to develop slowly, and many people start looking into surgery once tasks like reading small print or driving at night get harder. One of the first questions we hear is how much of your day the procedure will take up.
The surgery itself usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye, and with prep and monitoring added in, most people spend 2 to 4 hours at the surgery center. Through cataract co-management, our optometrists can help you get ready for surgery and track how your eye heals afterward.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery
A cataract forms when the clear lens inside your eye turns cloudy, which can make your vision look foggy or faded. During surgery, an ophthalmologist removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear artificial one called an intraocular lens (IOL).
You’ll stay awake for the procedure, and numbing eye drops help keep you from feeling pain. Your surgeon may also give you medication to help you relax. Since it’s an outpatient procedure, you can head home the same day.
How Long the Cataract Procedure Takes
Expect to spend about 10 to 15 minutes in the operating room for each eye. A dense or advanced cataract may take a little longer to remove, so ask your surgeon what to expect in your case.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, your surgeon will treat 1 eye at a time. The second surgery usually happens at least 1 to 2 weeks after the first.
What Your Cataract Surgery Day Looks Like
Most of your time at the surgery center goes toward getting ready. The team dilates your pupils and goes over your care instructions before the procedure starts. Follow any directions about eating and drinking beforehand, since many surgeons ask you to stop several hours in advance.
You won’t need your eye measurements taken on surgery day. They take those at an earlier visit, and your surgeon uses them to choose the right IOL for your eye.
After the procedure, the team checks your eye and monitors you for a short time before you go home. They’ll likely tape a protective shield over your eye, and you’ll wear it while you sleep for the first several nights.
Arrange a ride home ahead of time. The sedative and dilating drops make it unsafe to drive yourself, even if you feel fine.
What to Expect in the First Few Days After Cataract Surgery
Your eye needs time to adjust to the new lens, and some side effects are normal early on, including:
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- A scratchy or gritty feeling
- Redness in the white of your eye
- Watery eyes
These usually ease within a few days. Many people also notice that colors look brighter once the yellowed lens is gone, which can feel a little strange at first. Use your eye drops exactly as prescribed, and don’t rub or press on your eye while it heals.
Symptoms That May Require Attention
Some symptoms need attention right away. Contact your eye care team or get emergency eye care if you notice:
- Vision loss or vision that gets worse
- Eye pain that doesn’t improve with medication
- Sudden flashes of light
- A dark shadow or curtain across part of your vision
How Long Cataract Surgery Recovery Takes
Most people can ease back into their routine within days. Here’s a general timeline for common activities:
- Reading and watching TV: within a few hours of surgery
- Light walking: the day after surgery
- Running or biking: after about 1 week
- Swimming: after about 2 weeks
Your surgeon will tell you how long to avoid bending over and heavy lifting, since both can raise the pressure inside your eye. Hold off on driving until your eye care team clears you. If you’ve only had 1 eye done, your vision may feel unbalanced while you drive until the second eye is treated.
Full healing takes longer. Most people are completely healed within about 1 to 2 months, and your vision can keep improving during that time.
Your prescription may also change with the new lens in place. Once your eye has stabilized, your optometrist can check your vision and update your glasses or contacts if you need them. A new prescription also makes a pretty good excuse to try on some new frames.
Clear Answers for Your Cataract Surgery Questions
Your eye care starts long before surgery day. Regular visits with your optometrist can help you monitor a cataract as it develops, so you can decide together when surgery makes sense.
After surgery, follow-up visits let your optometrist check how your eye is healing and spot problems early. Our team at Total Vision Culver City can support you from your first cataract evaluation through your last post-surgery checkup. Book an appointment and bring your questions with you. We’re happy to answer every one.
