What to Expect Right After Surgery (Day 0)
- Keep the clear shield on until your team advises removing it for drops.
- Mild scratchiness, watering, or light sensitivity is normal; intense pain is not.
- Start your prescribed drops as directed before discharge. Have a family member or friend help if needed.
Days 1–3: Early Clarity
- Vision typically brightens within 24 hours; colors feel vivid as the cataract haze lifts.
- Use drops on schedule—antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and lubricating drops as instructed.
- Avoid rubbing, heavy lifting, bending with your head below your waist, pools, and hot tubs.
- Use sunglasses outdoors and rest between screen sessions to manage glare.
Days 4–14: Build Consistency
- Many patients return to desk work and light exercise. Pause if you notice throbbing or blur.
- Eye makeup and contact sports remain on hold. Gentle walking and stationary cycling are fine.
- Sleep with your shield if advised; keep up with lid hygiene and artificial tears for comfort.
Weeks 3–6: Refinement and Next Steps
- Vision stabilizes; small fluctuations are normal as the eye finishes healing.
- Glasses updates or enhancements, if needed, are planned once both eyes have settled.
- If you had a premium lens or refractive lens exchange, we may fine-tune the second eye’s target based on the first eye’s performance.
When to Call Immediately
- Sudden drop in vision, a curtain or shadow effect, or new floaters/flashes.
- Increasing pain, redness, or thick discharge.
- Persistent nausea or headache with blurred vision.
Simple Tips for a Smooth Recovery
- Set phone alarms for drops or use a printed checklist on the fridge.
- Keep a small notebook of symptoms and questions for your follow-up visit.
- Protect the eye during showers by letting water run down the back of your head.
- Do not drive until you meet legal vision standards and feel confident behind the wheel.
For a refresher on how the procedure works, read Cataract Surgery Explained. If you are considering lens-based surgery before cataracts develop, see the RLE guide.