Recovering from Cataract Surgery

Learn what to expect while recovering from cataract surgery from the skilled professionals at Elmquist Eye Group.

Residents of Southwest Florida have been coming to Elmquist Eye Group for more than 25 years for the highest quality eye care, including cataract evaluations and surgery, and other eye conditions that affect people of all ages.

Recovering from Cataract Surgery

Yasaira Rodriguez, MD is an experienced ophthalmologist specializing in refractive cataract surgery, eyelid surgery and in-office procedures.

Cataract Surgery Recovery Tips

Although most people are able to resume their everyday activities about 24 hours after cataract surgery, there are some things you can do to ensure that healing goes smoothly. They include:

  • Avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. Avoid rigorous exercise and heavy lifting.
  • Don’t drive. Your doctor will tell you when you can safely resume driving.
  • Use the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops your doctor prescribes. These are important to prevent infection and inflammation and to ensure proper healing.
  • Avoid dusty areas. For a few weeks after surgery, your eyes may be more sensitive to irritants like dust. Consider having your home vacuumed and cleaned before having your cataract(s) removed.
  • Don’t swim. Avoid swimming and using hot tubs for a week after surgery.
  • Don’t rub your eye. Rubbing your eye can cause you to develop an infection.

About Bladeless Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

If you have not yet had cataract surgery, the only way to treat them is with surgery to replace the clouded lens of the eye with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). There is little to no discomfort, and vision is usually restored within days.

Elmquist Eye Group is pleased to offer bladeless laser-assisted cataract procedure as well as the latest advancements in intraocular lens technology.

The same laser technology that is used for all-laser LASIK surgery allows Dr. Rodriguez to plan and customize each cataract procedure to the unique characteristics of each patient’s eye.

The computer-guided, surgeon-controlled laser has several advantages when compared to traditional cataract surgery:

  • Allows for safer and faster lens removal
  • Automates three steps of cataract surgery that used to be done manually
  • Reduces the need for surgical blades for corneal incisions and anterior capsulotomy
  • Improves the accuracy of placement of the new intraocular lens implant
  • Can create precise, customized incisions that are tailored to each patient’s unique eye anatomy
  • Reduces the chances of thermal injury to tissues inside the eye
  • Lessens recovery time following surgery
  • Corrects for astigmatism via laser instead of manual incision, reducing the need for glasses following surgery

Recovering from cataract surgery is usually a very quick process. If you are in the early stages of developing cataracts and interested in having surgery, schedule a cataract evaluation today at Elmquist Eye Group to discuss your options. Call us at (239) 936-2020.