By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress disorder
    5 Ways To Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    October 27, 2021
    Medical device classification and development strategies
    Medical device classification and development strategies
    April 5, 2023
    varicose veins
    Varicose Veins Prevention: 3 Lifestyle Changes to Make Right Now
    May 1, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Community Connection: Training Lay Responders For Disaster
    Community Connection: Training Lay Responders For Disaster
    April 14, 2019
    How Healthcare Organizations Can Improve Data Security
    September 28, 2020
    4 Car Accident Injury Tips To Get The Compensation You Deserve
    November 2, 2021
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Your Helpful Guide To Recovering After Cataract Surgery
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Eye Care > Your Helpful Guide To Recovering After Cataract Surgery
Eye CareSpecialties

Your Helpful Guide To Recovering After Cataract Surgery

Rehan Ijaz
Last updated: March 31, 2020 6:54 pm
Rehan Ijaz
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

 

While cataract surgery may be tried-and-tested and relatively well-known in the UK, it’s not particularly common amongst people aged 40 or under.

In fact, 95% of cataracts in the UK are thought to be age-related, with symptoms tending to develop after 40 and as we continue to age and grow older. This is borne out by the numbers, with the expected rate of cataract surgery estimated at 530 per 1,000 (0.53%) for the overall population and 3,200 per 100,000 (3.2%) for the 65 and older age demographic.

If you do have to undergo this surgery, however, you’ll probably spend a great deal of time going through the pre-operative preparations with your consultant. In this post, we’ll discuss how cataract surgery works, what to expect after treatment and how to plan for the post-surgery recovery process.

More Read

Radiologists Feel Lack of Clarity in Meaningful Use Guidelines
10 Common Issues Aging Adults Face
5 Medical & Dental Procedures Not Covered by Insurance
How Many Times A Day Should You Brush Your Teeth?
Does Writing Papers Cause Eye Problems?

How does cataract surgery work?

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a custom made one. You will be put under local anaesthetic. A small incision will be made in the side of the eye under 2.8mm. The incision itself should heal naturally and not require any stiches or anything else. Phacoemulsification is the process that the cataract is removed. Ultrasonic waves are used to liquify the cloudy contents of the lens before a suction tube removes the rest. An Intraocular lens implant is then put in your eye. In total this surgery only takes 10 minutes, but you could see yourself being in the clinic for up to four hours, this is to allow time to discuss the full procedure and allow adequate preparation time as well as any questions you may have for your surgeon. After care recovery will need to be discussed also.

How Long Does Recovery Take and How Can You Prepare for a Successful Post-op Experience?

Relatively speaking, the recovery time for cataract surgery is short. With vision showing a significant improvement within 24 hours. More specifically, any soreness or discomfort should disappear within a couple of days of the operation, while your eyes should return to full functionality within a period of between four to six weeks. Its recommended that you should take between 3-5 days off work to recover and relax from this operation.

You can expedite this process by being proactive and adhering to the following post-surgery care instructions, which should be provided by your healthcare provider prior to the treatment.

1. Take Practical Steps to Minimise Your Post-Op Activities

It’s crucial that you minimise your workload in the immediate aftermath of the operation, and this process should start from the moment that you leave the hospital.

So, make sure that you designate transport after surgery, as even after your discharge you’ll still be sedated and your eye will be bandaged (limiting your vision).

Also, try to avoid any heavy lifting or bending for up to a week after surgery, particularly as any limited vision that you experience will impact on your balance and could make the recovery time that much longer. Also, it will be up to your optometrist to confirm when driving standards have been met and you can get behind the wheel again as your eye sight will need to meet the legal driving requirements.

2. Stay Out of Pools and Regulate Your Exercise for the First Week

When it comes to exercise, you’ll need to regulate your activity in the first seven days following the operation.

You should definitely avoid swimming pools during this time frame, as these entities remain a prominent breeding ground for disease and will increase the risk of your eye becoming infected while it recovers.

While you can resume light, indoor exercise within a few days of returning home, you should refrain from intense or strenuous physical activity for at least a week following surgery. The reason for this is two-fold, as it minimises the risk of incurring injury as a result of your impaired vision, while it’s known that some exercises have the potential to increase eye pressure and trigger potentially damaging complications.

High intensity exercise should definitely be avoided for at least one week after surgery, while you may want to consult with your GP before resuming such activities.

3. Listen to Your Doctor’s Instructions

The latter point is particularly important, as you should definitely follow the advice of your primary eye-care provider and GP in the aftermath of your cataract surgery.

While this information has been largely covered above, it’s imperative that you follow your doctor’s instructions closely and also ask any questions that you may have concerning your surgery.

Also, we’d recommend erring on the side of caution in the week or two following your cataract surgery, as this will allow sufficient time for your eye to heal and your vision to return to normal!

TAGGED:cataract surgerycataracts
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Home HealthSpecialties

Try These Herbal Remedies For Yeast Allergy Symptoms

April 23, 2019
pediatric nurse
SpecialtiesWellness

Characteristics of a Successful Pediatric Nurse

December 3, 2014

Shared Risk Reimbursement: 5 Challenges and Opportunities for Radiology

August 1, 2014

Practice Makes Perfect: Muscle Memory and “Brain Training” to Improve Patient Care

November 9, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?