After Cataract Surgery Recovery
After cataract recovery, ninety five percent of healthy individuals will be able to see twenty forty uncorrected. Seeing at that legal eyesight is good enough to drive an automobile. Given the high success rate makes this surgery an acceptable treatment for most of the patients who suffer with cataracts. Less than two percent of the seventeen thousand people that were in the study suffered from a serious eye sight problem. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an permanent implant lens to restore the vision. Medicare and most insurance plans will cover this type of surgery.
Most cataract surgeries are done on an outpatient basis. You should not wear eye makeup or have anything to eat or drink within ten hours of surgery. Once you get to the surgical center, eye drops that will dilate the pupil are placed in the affected eye. A sedative is offered to the patients that are nervous and need to relax before the surgery can begin. Additionally, a local anesthetic will be given to avoid any pain associated with the surgery. The surgeon will remove the cloudy natural lens with ultra sound, and sonic waves break up the cataract while it is being removed. A permanent implant lens is placed in the eye. The lenses are made of plastic or silicone and have a power associated with them much like the lenses in your glasses. After surgery is complete you will spend minimal time in the outpatient recovery center and then the recovery from cataract surgery begins. Take it easy when moving about and going home. Have someone drive you.
It is important to follow your doctors instructions while you recover after cataract surgery. In addition to the instructions for your specific eye care needs, do not lift anything over twenty five pounds or do strenuous work, do not bend or do any exercise that could strain your eye and do not let water in your eyes. Recovery after cataract surgery will require you to wear an eye shield or goggles while you sleep for about a week. Sunglasses should be worn in bright lights and sunlight. All of this is for a short time period. Typical cataract surgery recovery is two weeks.
Any type of surgery is frightening but not being able to see would be more frightening and life changing. Cataract surgeries are low risk, recovery after cataract surgery is easy, minimal discomfort and the end result is life changing and appears to be well work the risk. Do your research and get a referral for a surgeon from somebody you trust. The internet provides a wealth of information about the before, during, and after surgery. There are message boards with testimonials about after cataract recovery as well.