Posted by: Associates in Ophthalmology (NJ) in Cataracts
Cataract surgery is a simple procedure, but that doesn’t mean you may not be nervous before having it. Knowing more about the surgery can help you manage your anxiety.
The best person to help you learn is your eye care professional. Setting up a cataract screening at Associates in Ophthalmology is simple!
Keep reading for 6 things to expect before and after having cataract surgery!
Before: You Should Schedule a Ride
Cataract surgery only takes about a total of two and a half hours. The procedure itself is much shorter than that.
Afterward, you will be able to go home, as cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. But your vision will likely be blurry for some time after the procedure.
Because of this, you can’t drive yourself home the day you have cataract surgery. Make sure you have a friend or family member that can drive you to and from your procedure.
After: You Will Need Plenty of Rest
As soon as you get home, you will likely be sleepy. Resting is an important part of healing. This is especially true for the early part of your recovery process.
You should feel comfortable going to sleep as soon as you need to. It is important to protect your eyes while you sleep, as you may bump into them with your hands or roll on top of them.
You will need to wear an eye shield over the healing eye whenever you sleep. This is only for the first few days of recovery when your eye is most vulnerable.
Before: Food and Medications
You may need to avoid eating or drinking on the day of the surgery. Your doctor will also tell you to stop taking certain medications, especially the kind that causes you to bleed more during the procedure.
You may be prescribed antibiotics a couple of days before the surgery to help fight off infections. Make sure to take any prescriptions exactly as prescribed.
After: Discomfort
You can expect a certain amount of discomfort during your recovery. You may notice it most at the beginning.
The pain shouldn’t be intense, but it may be more noticeable for a few days. If the discomfort continues for more than a few days, or seems to be stronger than you’d expect, let your eye doctor know.
These can be signs of complications or an infection.
Before: Selecting an IOL
A big part of getting ready for cataract surgery is selecting your replacement lens. Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens of the eye and then replacing them with an IOL. IOLs (intraocular lenses) come in a variety.
These range from the standard that gives you basic vision, but requires you to wear glasses, to premium IOLs that let you no longer need glasses. Discuss your choices with your doctor to find out what is best for you!
After: When You’ll See Results
Some patients experience clear vision within hours after cataract surgery. But everyone’s recovery is different, so don’t be worried if it takes several days or even a couple weeks before your vision becomes clearer.
After that, you can expect to be recovering from the surgery to some degree for a few months.
Not sure if you may need cataract surgery? Schedule a cataract screening at Associates in Ophthalmology in Livingston, NJ!
There’s no reason to be afraid of the clarity you’ll find after having your cataracts removed!
