How Long Does It Take for Blurriness To Go Away After Cataract Surgery?

So, you have cataracts but are reluctant to have surgery. You might be asking yourself, “How long does it take for blurriness to go away after cataract surgery?” This is one of the most frequent questions we are asked at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania. While surgery is the only remedy for cataracts, you will find that surgery recovery time is quick and easy. Let’s learn more.

Why Do People Get Cataracts?

Many of our patients think cataracts are a disease, but actually, they are simply a normal part of aging. As you reach age 60, natural eye proteins begin to break down and form on the lens, thus causing vision problems. Even at age 60, your cataracts may not be significant enough to cause any vision problems, but typically by age 75, most adults experience substantial interference with vision.

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataracts can only be corrected with surgery, an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour. During the surgery, our skilled surgeons replace the cloudy natural lens with a clear artificial intraocular lens implant (IOL) which functions just as your natural lens does. 

The surgery is done on only one eye at a time. Someone will need to drive you home from the surgery, and your vision will be blurry for a couple of days. You may also experience itchiness as the eye heals and may have sensitivity to light for those two days as well.

Post-Surgery Activities …In Moderation

Typically, by day three, most patients are back to reading and watching television. We ask that you do these activities in moderation to allow your eye time to fully heal. Lots of patients ask what they can do to ensure proper healing, and we advise patients to give themselves time to heal and time to adapt.

Some patients experience clear vision mere hours after surgery, but for most people, vision remains blurry while your eye adjusts to the new IOL implant.

Resist the urge to rub your eye if you have that dry-eye feeling. If you had dry eye prior to the surgery, your condition may be more pronounced in the days following cataract surgery.

To ensure the best and fastest healing, be sure to take your medications as prescribed: an antibiotic eye drop to prevent infection, and an anti-inflammatory eye drop. Don’t miss any doses. If your inflammation continues past a few days, we will likely extend this prescription. You can also take over-the-counter acetaminophen as a pain reliever should you experience any discomfort.

One of the main reasons patients don’t heal quickly is that they overdo it too soon. While you may feel great post-surgery, and even experience clear vision, your eye is still healing, and you need to take it slower than usual.

Avoid bending over and try not to sneeze, both of which put added pressure on your eye. Strenuous activity and exercise are off the list for a few weeks after the surgery as your eye heals. For one week, avoid swimming pools and hot tubs to avoid infection, and stay away from dust, pollen and other eye irritants.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone in your recovery. We will schedule a follow-up appointment the day after your surgery, so that we can check your healing progress. We always ask that you give us a call immediately if you experience any out-of-the-ordinary complications, such as pain or continued blurriness.

If you need cataract surgery and have been wondering how long does it take for blurriness to go away after cataract surgery, know that this surgery is typically short, sweet and uneventful. You are definitely in good hands with the cataract specialists at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania. Furthermore, there is so much you can do to speed your recovery. Give us a call today!