At home you may be up and around and resume most activities except those involving any heavy lifting or exercise. Most patients have only minor discomfort after surgery. You will need to be seen by your doctor the day after surgery, and you will be given specific instructions as to what medications you should use after surgery. For approximately six weeks, it is important to protect the eye at all times either with glasses or the protective shield you will be given. Vision usually begins to improve within several days after surgery, and should continue to improve in the several months it takes the eye to heal completely after the operation.
Any surgery involves some risks.
Although cataract surgery is perhaps the safest commonly performed operation, the eye is extremely delicate and there is always the risk of its not responding as desired. Your doctor will be discussing these potential complications of cataract removal before you make a decision about your surgery. Because of these possible complications, it is best to wait to have cataract surgery until the cataract significantly affects your vision. Prior to surgery you will be asked to sign a consent form indicating that you understand your diagnosis, the surgical procedure you are to undergo, and the possibility of complications from surgery. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask your doctor for further explanation.