Cataract Surgery: What to expect after surgery

Hello @dablues, You will notice that I changed the title of your discussion a little to help members find the discussion and your questions. I just had cataract surgery on my right eye on July 31st. I had my followup appointment in the afternoon of the same day. I think it was because I had the surgery on a Friday and they don't have appointments on the weekend. My surgeon told me that some people will experience blurry vision for a few days but it will clear up. I was told no driving the following day but after that it would be OK as long as my eye was doing OK. I also was told to keep my head above my shoulders when bending over, not to lift more than 20 pounds for one week, not to play golf for 2 weeks, play tennis for 3 weeks or swim for 4 weeks. I have an exercise elliptical cardio bike that I use several times a day and was told I shouldn't do high cardio that causes the heart rate to be high. I think the reason is to keep the blood pressure in the eye as low as possible to prevent problems with the surgery. I have been using the bike for several 30 minute sessions a day but on low resistance and I don't really stress myself but primarily just use for light exercise which my surgeon said would be OK.

My vision was actually pretty clear after the surgery but I had to wear and eye patch the first day and while sleeping for a week. That was a pain due to having to tape it on the eye with the easy tear surgical tape. After the second night of struggling to tape the clear plastic eye shield over the eye, I found that I could make an elastic band and attach it to the eye shield and that would mostly hold the eye shield in place. Then I used 2 small pieces of the surgical tape to hold it in place. I made the elastic band by tying ear loops from disposable face masks to form a long piece and then tying the ends to both sides of the eye shield. I did have one episode two days ago where I had a floater in the eye which I think may have been an eyelash or some matter floating around on the outside. The hardest thing for me is to not rub the eye.

I would write down your questions so that you don't forget to ask when you see the surgeon or care team. Can you let us know how your follow up appointment goes?

@dablues She didn't tell you not to bend, lift heavy things or reach overhead? That is so important I had mine done a while a go both eyes . Make sure you don't do these things I mentioned and make sure you do the drops . My cataracts where so bad as my eyes where the Dr did them a week apart but yes after one day they where blurry and will be but each day you see more clearer . When you see your Dr ask her questions you may have but your doing fine and the blurriness will get more clearer everyday. A friend here I went with here to the surgeon hers it was very thick it took her a couple of days till the blurriness was all gone so just be patient.

I believe it took several weeks for the blurriness to totally be gone. But once it was totally healed ..... WOW .... it was wonderful to really see what I was missing! abby, ala' harp player (sort of)

Hi yes blurry is normal after cataracts. I had both done 8 ears ago, it passes in time , it should, also there are so many lenses today. did you get an expensive eye lens put in ? My husband had cataract surgery 6 weeks ago on right eye, his last appt was wed, this week, he still has blurriness with the eye, they sold him an expensive lens called," pan optics, tri focal, he says he should have just done the basic lens, i thing its all a money maker, he has good eyes and has never worn glasses, 65 years old and is in top health shape. Now , he still has major ! major light sensitivity, the surgeon says this will all pass ! he cant go in the sun or drive in the bright day light ! really? someone talk to me about this, the doc said there is NOTHING wrong with his eyes !!

I had both eyes done a year and a half ago and one eye is still blurry. I have astigmatism in this eye and it's not completely correctable with a lens implant. It's much better than it was, but not 100%.

Had both eyes done this year and for me both times the primary issue was eye floaters that were aggravating and gradually subsided. One eye was blurry for a couple of days but over time improved. Eyes did need eye drops for dryness. But, overall after these issues went away I was amazed at the improvements. Even the need for reading glasses is gone for some situations and when I use them it is at a 1.5 level versus the 2.75 used before.

Thanks for your input. I'll see what she says on my next visit. I miss not being able to go to the YMCA, but can start back on Wednesday!

Good to know. I have floaters in my right eye that will be done next month. I have dry eyes too, so will need to get some sort of drops

I haven't a clue if I got an expensive lens. She didn't mention prices or if there was more than one type of lens.

I goofed three times touching my eyes, but didn't rub them hard. I also forget and bend when I'm not supposed to. I do weights at the Y, plus 33 minutes on treadmill at 3.6l I alternate weights each day. Do weights for my legs one day, then arms the next day. It will be one week on Wednesday so will start back.
Also I haven't been doing my therapy exercises at night. Will start that on Wednesday. Not sure if I should lower the weights for the first week. Depending on which weights and exercise I choose, I use different weights. What do you think. I don't do high weights. From 25 lbs. depending on what exercise to 50 lbs. Can't do more. I do lower exercise on my legs since I hurt myself at the Y, a couple years ago. I stopped using the patch last night. So it has been less than 1 week.