Post-Surgery Care

What to Expect After Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery Recovery Timeline and Guidelines

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most common procedures performed in the U.S. Most patients return to their regular routines within a few days, but full healing can take several weeks — sometimes longer depending on your individual eye health.

Here’s what you can expect during recovery, including guidance on driving, exercising, and other activities.

Your Eyes Need Time to Heal

After cataract surgery, your eye will go through two stages of healing:

Stage 1: First 24 Hours
The small incision made during surgery begins to close, and the surface of the eye seals.
Stage 2: Weeks Following Surgery
The deeper layers of the eye continue to heal over the next few weeks. You may be prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent infection and reduce swelling.

It’s common to wear a protective shield over your eye at night for the first few days to avoid rubbing or pressure while sleeping.

Temporary Changes Are Normal

You may experience the following, which are typical parts of the healing process:

Blurry vision after removing the protective eye shield — your brain needs time to adjust to the new lens.
Redness in the white part of your eye — this will fade within a few days.
Scratchiness or mild discomfort — it may feel like something is in your eye. This usually resolves on its own. If you have dry eye, the feeling may linger a bit longer.

When to Call Your Doctor

Call us immediately if you experience:

Sudden vision loss
Severe eye pain
Flashes of light, new floaters, or a dark curtain in your vision
Nausea, vomiting, or excessive coughing

Activity Guidelines After Surgery

Driving

Do not drive until your surgeon has cleared you. If you’ve only had surgery on one eye, depth perception may be affected. Your doctor may recommend:

Wearing your old glasses with the lens removed on the operated side
Using a contact lens in the non-operated eye
Not using correction at all temporarily

Exercise and Physical Activity

Light walking is fine starting the day after surgery.
Wait 7 to 10 days for activities like:
- Biking
- Golf
- Tennis
- Sex
Wait at least 2 weeks before swimming or using a hot tub to prevent infection.
Avoid bending below the waist, heavy lifting, or straining for at least 48 hours.

Sneezing or Coughing

Try to minimize sneezing or coughing in the first 48 hours, as it can increase eye pressure.

Reading, Computer Use, and TV

Most patients can resume these within a few hours of surgery, though vision may still be slightly blurry at first.

Eye Drops and Medications

Continue using your prescribed eye drops exactly as instructed.
Lubricating drops are usually safe to use right away, but always use a brand-new sterile bottle.
Avoid warm compresses, lid scrubs, or other dry eye treatments for at least one week post-surgery.

Tip: Refrigerated drops can be more soothing for some patients.

Other Medical Procedures

It’s safe to undergo X-rays, MRIs, and most medical procedures after cataract surgery. Always notify your surgeon of any upcoming treatments.

New Glasses or Contact Lenses

Most patients will need to wait 2 to 3 weeks for vision to stabilize before getting a new prescription.
Your ophthalmologist will advise whether you’ll need glasses based on the type of lens implant you received.
Over-the-counter reading glasses are safe to use in the meantime.
Do not use contact or scleral lenses without checking with your doctor first.

Final Thoughts

Everyone heals at their own pace. Some patients see clearly within days, while others take longer depending on the complexity of the cataract. If you have questions or concerns during recovery, please contact our office — we’re here to support you every step of the way.