What to Expect After Cataract Surgery?

Cataracts are extremely common in the United States, with this eye condition affecting over 24.4 million Americans aged 40 and over. Furthermore, by the age of 75, over half of all Americans will have developed cataracts. That being said, cataracts are treatable with surgery, with this procedure being both simple and safe. 

Suppose you are considering undergoing cataract surgery or thinking you may have cataracts but are worried about seeking treatment. In that case, the below blog should help to convince you of the merits of this procedure. 

Improved vision 

Although your vision may be blurry at first as your eye heals and adjusts to the new lens, you can expect your vision to start dramatically improving in as little as 2-3 days. 

You may start to notice that colors appear brighter, whereas before, they looked muted and had a yellow-brownish tint. 

Enhanced quality of life

Since cataracts develop slowly, it may have taken you a while to notice that your vision deteriorated. Maybe you were finding it difficult to read or drive, but you simply put it down to getting older. This can lead to you gradually stopping doing the activities you once loved, which can cause both depression and anxiety

However, after cataract surgery, you will find that your quality of life will drastically improve, and you will be able to do all the things you love doing once again. 

Decreased risk of falls

Did you know that loss of vision is one of the most common causes of falls, with experiencing a fall being extremely dangerous and in some cases fatal for older people? 

Fortunately, patients who choose to have cataract surgery see a 16% decrease in the risk of a hip fracture in the next year. Those with severe cataracts have a 40% reduction in mortality risk than those that don’t have the procedure carried out. 

Cataract testing
Image by Paul Diaconu from Pixabay

What you can do to aid your recovery after cataract surgery

The recovery time for cataract surgery is short, and any soreness or discomfort you feel should be gone in only a few days. However, with that being said, there are steps that you can take to aid your recovery further, including:

  • Avoid bending over
  • Avoid any heavy lifting 
  • Avoid sneezing
  • Use your eye drops as instructed 
  • Use your eye shield at night 
  • Wear sunglasses when exposed to the sun 
  • Take pain relief if needed 
  • Don’t drive on the first day 
  • Avoid swimming or hot tub use 
  • Avoid rubbing your eye 

Talk to your doctor if you are still worried about undergoing cataract surgery and are unsure if it is the right decision for you. You should know that this eye condition will slowly worsen over time, restricting your ability to carry out everyday tasks such as reading and driving. 

Try talking to your doctor about your concerns and see if they can put your mind at rest, and try to imagine how good the world will look in bright, clear, and vivid colors again. 

Featured Image by Paul Diaconu from Pixabay