Recovering from Cataract Surgery: What to Expect

Recovering from cataract surgery and lens implants is a great deal easier than most patients expect today. Valparaiso Cataract Surgeon Scott Buck, M.D. shared information about patient expectations of cataract surgery recovery. “At Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center we typically perform cataract removal and lens implants using a very tiny incision, with no needles and usually only eye drops for anesthesia,” explained Dr. Buck. “For the great majority of our patients the postoperative course is comfortable, unremarkable and uneventful. Most of our patients don't require pain medications but do tell us that at most they have a slight foreign body feeling from the incision which usually clears in a few hours. 

Regarding the recovery of vision after cataract surgery and lens implants, Dr. Buck explained, “The first day after cataract surgery the vision can vary a bit from being excellent to in some cases being a bit cloudy depending on whether there is a small amount of swelling in the cornea. Patients with mild cataracts generally have very little swelling. Very dense cataracts can require more instrument manipulation and energy to remove, and this can produce more swelling in the cornea. This swelling usually clears quickly and most patients see quite well in a few days.” 

Dr. Buck further explained. “Depending on the type of lens implant you have had there may be a little adaptation. For example, if you have had a near vision presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implant there may be re-learning of how to see far and near. Most patients adapt pretty quickly.”

If you or someone you know has questions about cataract, cataract surgery, lens implants or the recovery from any type of eye surgery please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center in Valparaiso, IN is staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services. We are conveniently located for patients seeking eye care from throughout northern Indiana including La Porte, Mishawaka, South Bend, Michigan City, Crown Point, Merrillville, Chesterton, South Haven, Westville, Hebron, Lowell, Valparaiso and Walkerton as well as Chicago, Illinois suburban areas of Frankfurt, Calumet City, Monee and Crete.