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
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 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
    5 Basic Types Of Eye Tests That Are Part Of An Eye Exam
    September 24, 2018
    Knowledge About Malpractice Lawsuits Can Give You Some Peace | Healthcare Career Resources
    Knowledge About Malpractice Lawsuits Can Give You Some Peace
    September 18, 2020
    How Your Job Can Impact Your Health
    December 11, 2018
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 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
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

Spine Surgery Largely Unfazed by Recent Market Challenges
Tips for Hosting an Age-friendly Thanksgiving Dinner
30 Years Ago All These Baby Boomers Would Have Been in Wheel Chairs
Heart Disease: What is Calcium Scoring?
Prostate Cancer Awareness: Detection and Treatment

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

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

cancer-prevention
Cancer

The Importance of Lipoma Examination in Cancer Prevention

September 28, 2023
English: Facial Plastic Surgeon Amir Karam, MD...
Specialties

Comments on “10 Cosmetic Procedures You Should Avoid”

June 25, 2012
radiology not paid HIS
BusinessFinanceRadiology

Are Radiologists Not Getting Paid for ED Procedures?

January 28, 2014

New Blood Test Could Help Doctors Figure Out Origins of Strokes

January 27, 2014
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?