What to Expect After Cataract Surgery
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans age 40 and older. Approximately half of Americans develop cataracts by age 75. And as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020.
That means, most likely, if you live long enough, you’ll deal with cataracts. So let’s talk cataract facts and what you can do to speed up cataract recovery after cataract removal.
Cataracts Basics
A cataract is a progressive clouding of your eye’s natural lens. Cataract symptoms include cloudy vision, poor color recognition, glare from night driving and frequent prescription changes in glasses or contacts.
Cause of Cataracts
In most cases, cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up your eye’s lens.
In addition, there are a few inherited genetic disorders that cause other health problems that can increase your risk of developing cataracts. Researchers have found that cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery and even medical conditions such as diabetes. Long-term use of steroid medications can also cause cataracts to develop.
Cataract Treatment
It’s important to understand that cataracts cannot be treated with medication, eye drops or lifestyle changes. They must be removed for vision to be restored.
More than 2 million men and women undergo cataract surgery every year, making the procedure one of the most common and most successful medical procedures in the U.S. today. You can trust your eyes to the San Jose cataracts specialists at Eye Medical Clinic.
We are pleased to offer the latest advancements in treating cataracts including Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery. We also offer Premium Lens Implant technologies that can correct your cataracts and get you out of those glasses. Premium Lens Implants can restore your vision to a greater degree, for instance correcting astigmatism and providing sharp vision at far, intermediate and near distances.
What Can You Do to Speed up Cataract Recovery
Laser-Assisted cataract surgery often takes no longer than about 10 minutes to perform. You will need to rest in a recovery area about 30 minutes to an hour post-op while the grogginess from sedation or anesthesia wears off. You must have someone on call to drive you home after the procedure. We provide a pair of sunglasses to wear on your trip home to protect your eye from bright light.
Within the same day of surgery, you should be able to resume normal daily activities: Computer work, light TV watching, showering. Here are some extra facts for a speedy cataract recovery:
- Take a nap if you are sleepy when you arrive home. Just remember to wear the protective eye shield your Eye Medical Clinic surgeon provides.
- Be careful moving around after surgery as it may take a little time for your vision to fully clear.
- Don’t drive the first day.
- Don’t rub your eye(s) for at least two weeks after surgery.
- You may resume your work or home duties (if you want to!).
- No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise activities for the first couple weeks.
- Avoid exposure to irritants such as dust and wind during the first couple weeks.
- Avoid swimming or using a hot tub during the first week.
- Attend your follow-up appointment with your cataract surgeon the day after the procedure to ensure no complications.
Most of our cataract surgery patients experience clear vision within several hours after their cataract surgery. But since each person heals differently, it may take a week or two before you see things in their sharpest focus.
Schedule a free initial cataract consultation and screening today with the experts at Eye Medical Clinic. We will share all of our cataract surgery options to give you a clear idea of what will benefit your vision and lifestyle. At Eye Medical Clinic, we have been dedicated to helping the people of Santa Clara Valley with all their eye care needs for more than 70 years.
