If you don’t have any other eye problems, you will be able to read both within one day of cataract surgery. This test can be arranged by your optician or ophthalmologist. You will also need to show that you can read the 6/12 of an eye test chart with both eyes open. In order to drive a car, you must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. Your surgeon will be able to advise you how long to take off work, based on your circumstances. This imbalance will improve if you have further cataract surgery in your other eye. If you wear very strong glasses, once you’ve had cataract surgery in one eye, you will have a noticeable difference in the vision between your two eyes. It isn’t recommended that you return to work the same day as your cataract operation.Įach patient is different and when you can return to work will depend on the nature of your job, how strong your glasses are and whether or not you need new glasses. It will take four to six weeks for your eye to fully heal. However, your sensitivity to light may persist for a few more days. Your eye will feel normal again 24 hours after surgery. Your vision will also be blurred whilst you’re waiting for the drops to wear off. You’ll notice that your pupil will look larger than normal during this time. It will take 24 hours for the drops used to dilate your pupils prior to surgery to wear off. Your vision will be a little blurred and your eye may also be sensitive to light and appear red or bloodshot. Immediately after surgery, your eye will feel watery and slightly gritty - don’t worry, this is normal. What are the side effects of cataract surgery? If your surgeon uses a local anaesthetic, you will need to wear an eye pad and a shield for a few more hours until the anaesthetic wears off. If you have surgery with eye drops only, you will need to wear a transparent shield over your eye until you get home. You’ll be at the hospital for no more than four hours.Ĭataract surgery can be performed using eye drops to numb the area, or under a local anaesthetic. Once in the operating theatre, your cataract surgery will take 15 minutes and you will be discharged from hospital once you’re feeling ready to leave. You will also be asked to sign some consent documents and given a surgical gown to put on. This involves putting some drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils to make them wider. When you arrive at the hospital, the surgical team will need to prepare your eyes for surgery. How long does cataract surgery take?Ĭataract surgery, also known as Phacoemulsification, is a quick and straightforward procedure - so, you will have the operation as a day case patient. From how long you’ll need to take off work, to driving after surgery and how you can speed up your recovery, here’s everything you need to know.
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