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A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, giving you the feeling that you're looking through a foggy window. This impedes vision, making it tough to read and drive. Luckily, cataract surgery is a safe and effective solution for many people. If you’re preparing to undergo this operation, prepare yourself by finding out what to expect afterward and what you can do to help.

What to Expect After Your Cataract Surgery

During the first week after surgery, you’ll have to keep your eye covered. An eye shield or special eyeglasses protect the healing area from friction and bumps, which might otherwise open the incision.

cataractsDon't expect perfect vision immediately. It's normal to have blurry or distorted sight for a week or two as your visual system adjusts to the change. You may also feel like your eye is scratchy and develop bloodshot eyes for the first few days. This is normal and will dissipate. 

How You Can Ease the Recovery Process

To promote healing after your surgery, avoid activities that cause strain, such as lifting more than 10 pounds. This can increase pressure on the eye and open the incision. You should likewise avoid bending over to the point where your head comes below your waist—this increases blood flow to the area and can likewise stress the incision site.

Follow any aftercare instructions provided by your eye doctor closely. They will likely prescribe antibiotics to avoid infection and eye drops to bring down inflammation. Expect to have a final followup appointment a few weeks after surgery.

 

Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight of Crestview Hills, KY, provides state-of-the-art vision care to residents of Cincinnati, OH, and northern Kentucky. The skilled and experienced medical team diagnoses and treats an array of vision problems, including macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Find out more about the vision center's advanced procedures online. For an appointment, call (859) 525-6215.

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