How long does a cataract surgery last

Cataract surgery is a procedure used to treat cataracts where changes in the lens of the eye cause cloudy, blurry or misty vision. The lens is the crystalline structure that sits just behind your pupil, which is the black circle in the center of your eye. Cataracts occur when changes in the lens of the eye cause it to become less transparent, making it difficult to see clearly.

Cataracts sometimes start to develop in a person’s eye lens as they get older (age-related cataracts), stopping some of the light from reaching the retina. Although cataracts are often associated with age, in rare cases babies are born with cataracts or young children can develop them (childhood cataracts).

Once cataracts have developed and vision is compromised, surgery to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an intraocular lens is the only way to restore vision.

Cataract surgery is a relatively straightforward outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic, which means you’ll be awake during the procedure and can go home on the same day. During cataract surgery in Elkhart, your surgeon will make a tiny incision in your eye so that the cloudy lens can be removed. After it’s been removed, it is replaced with a small plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).

If you have cataracts in both eyes, you will need two separate surgeries performed a few weeks apart. This gives the first eye time to heal and time for your vision to be restored.

There are two main types of cataract surgery and the timeframe of the procedure depends on which surgery you have.

Phaco Surgery: With phacoemulsification, the most common type of cataract surgery performed in the U.S., the procedure can take as little as 10 minutes.

ECCE Surgery: The extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) can take longer than phacoemulsification; ECCE usually takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

Recovery Time: If there were no complications with the surgery, the patient will remain in recovery for a short amount of time, often 20 to 30 minutes, and then are able to go home.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures and has helped restore clear vision to thousands of patients. If you would like to discuss cataract surgery with one of our surgeons, contact Boling Vision Center at 574-598-4572 to schedule an appointment.

If you’re dealing with blurry vision from cataracts, surgical treatments will be able to help restore your eyesight. Typically, the procedure takes just a few minutes to complete for each eye, but how long does it take to recover from cataract surgery?

Many people will be able to resume normal activities as early as the morning after cataract surgery. However, every patient is different. Check out our guide below to get an idea of how long it will take to recover from cataract surgery and what you can expect as your eyes begin to heal.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER CATARACT SURGERY

Cataract surgery involves removing cataracts and replacing the damaged lens from each eye with a cataract lens or IOL. Overall, the procedure takes about ten minutes for one eye. After the surgery, patients will still experience a bit of blurry vision as their eyes begin to heal, along with a sandy or gritty feeling. This is completely normal and will fluctuate for several days after surgery.

Patients will notice improvements in overall eyesight and can resume normal, day-to-day activities as soon as the following day after the procedure. Many people may even see brighter colors as their eyes continue to adjust to new lenses over the recovery period.

While eyesight will begin to clear as early as the day after your cataract surgery, it will take a few weeks for eyes to recover fully. During this time, you may feel a bit of discomfort, but this should subside as your eyes continue to heal.

Also, your surgeon will provide you with a clear shield to wear to bed for about one to two weeks. This will help prevent you from scratching and injuring your eyes while you are sleeping.

TIPS FOR CATARACT SURGERY RECOVERY

To ensure proper recovery after cataract surgery, it’s important for patients to take a few precautions. You will need a ride home from surgery due to the medication you will be given before surgery. After you get home from your procedure, it’s best to rest your eyes and avoid any strenuous activities, like rigorous exercise or lifting weights, to keep from straining.

It’s also normal to feel some discomfort after cataract surgery. However, if your eyes start to feel itchy or irritated, do not rub them. Instead, use the drops provided by your surgeon. In addition to helping to alleviate discomfort during the recovery process, these drops can also prevent eye infections and reduce inflammation.

Finally, it’s crucial that you visit your local eye doctor throughout your cataract surgery recovery to make sure your eyes are healing properly. You’ll also want to look out for any serious issues after your cataract procedure. If you notice any form of vision loss, severe pain, or floaters in front of your eyes, contact your doctor for immediate treatment.

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