Cataract Surgery Recovery: Five Tips for a Smoother Recovery Period
The cataract surgeon tells us that cataract surgery, also referred to as Phacoemulsification, is a fast and straightforward procedure. Typically, the eye surgery operation is a day case. When the patient arrives at the hospital or clinic, the surgical team will have to prepare his or her eyes for surgery.
This involves the eye surgeon putting some drops in the patient’s eyes to dilate his or her pupils to make them wider. Also, the patient is asked to sign some consent documents and is handed a surgical gown to wear.
How Long Is Cataract Surgery?
When the patient is in the operating theater, the cataract surgery takes about 15 minutes and he or she will be discharged from the hospital when they feel ready to leave. Your visit will take no longer than four hours.
An eye surgeon can perform cataract surgery using eye drops to numb the area or else under local anesthetic. If you have cataract surgery with eye drops only, your eye surgeon will advise you to wear a transparent shield over your eye until you arrive home.
If your eye surgeon uses a local anesthetic, you will have to wear an eye pad and a shield for a few more hours until the anesthetic wears off.
What Are The Side Effects Of Cataract Surgery?
Right after surgery, your eye will water and feel a little gritty. However, don’t worry because that is a normal side effect. Also, your vision will be slightly blurred, and your eye may also feel sensitive to light and look red or bloodshot.
The drops that were used to dilate your pupils before surgery, will take at least 24 hours to wear off. During this time, don’t be alarmed if you notice your pupil is larger than average. Additionally, your vision will be blurred while you wait for the drops to wear off.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Cataract Surgery?
Again, don’t freak out if your vision seems cloudy, distorted, or blurry when your cataract surgeon first takes off the eye shield. It can take a while for your visual system to get used to the removal of the cataract and get familiar with the intraocular lens used to replace the eye’s natural lens.
Some patients have claimed to see “wavy” vision or distortions during this familiarization period. This phenomenon, if it exists, should only last for about an hour.
Furthermore, red and bloodshot eyes are common because of the temporary damage to blood vessels on the white part of the eye (sclera) during cataract surgery. While the eye heals, the redness should disappear within several days. If the eye surgeon administered an injection of anesthesia through the skin into the lower portion of your eye, you may see some bruising that looks like a black eye. Again, this will also fade within a few days.
Most patients say their vision clears up within several hours after cataract surgery. However, everyone heals differently, and you may require at least a week or two before you see images in their sharpest focus.
Typically, you will have a follow-up appointment with your cataract surgeon the day after the procedure to ensure there are no complications. Also, if you feel pain or immense discomfort in the days following the visit, you should let your eye surgeon know.
Occasionally, some patients make known to their eye doctor some dry eye or “scratchiness” after cataract surgery. These feelings should lessen as the eye heals unless the person already had issues with dry eyes before having the procedure.
A complete cataract surgery recovery should happen within around a month when the eye is entirely healed.
What Are The Best Ways To Help Cataract Recovery?
Surprisingly, many patients feel very good and find they can easily get back to their normal activities even the day after cataract surgery.
Nevertheless, you should pay attention to a few preventive measures during the first week to guarantee you avoid any complications during your cataract surgery recovery.
Typically, your cataract surgeon will prescribe antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection, and anti-inflammatory eye drops to help lessen any internal inflammation. You have to apply the eye drops several times daily for at least the first week following surgery.
Revolving around how much postoperative inflammation you have, you may require the drops for a few weeks to a month. It’s recommended to use these drops precisely as prescribed.
For instance, oral pain relievers such as acetaminophen may be prescribed, if required. Normally, however, you should feel a little discomfort after cataract surgery.
To make sure you have a safe and quick recovery, read the advice below.
- Avoid driving on the first day following surgery – You should talk to your eye doctor about when you can safely get back behind the wheel since it’s all based on your recovery.
- Don’t do any strenuous activities for a few weeks – Don’t do any rigorous exercise and activities that involve heavy lifting for a few weeks to reduce the possibility of increased eye pressure. The reason being is that high eye pressure can disrupt the incision before it completely heals. You should avoid getting into positions that place your head below your waist. For instance, bending over can increase eye pressure and should be avoided immediately after surgery.
- Avoid Pools And Shower Carefully – After cataract surgery, exposing your eyes to water increases your risk of infection. So, do your best to avoid pools and shower carefully until your eye has healed completely. Most eye surgeons will recommend giving yourself at least one night of sleep before showering and don’t allow a stream of water to hit your eye directly. You should ask your doctor when it is safe to start swimming or using a hot tub. In many instances, you will resume these activities within a few weeks.
- Protect Yourself From Irritants And Other Trauma – When you arrive home from your cataract surgery, it is normal to feel that you have an object in your eyes such as a particle of sand or an eyelash. Overall, expect your eyes to feel sensitive to the environment for about a week after surgery. It’s a good idea to get wraparound sunglasses to protect yourself from exposure to dust, pollen, and dirt, and these sunglasses will help with sensitivity to light.
Additionally, your eye doctor will provide you with an eye shield for you to put on while sleeping during your recovery time to prevent you from rubbing or touching your eyes.
Abide By Your Cataract Surgeon’s Orders
You should ask your doctor about precautions you can take, such as the ones listed above, and the appropriate timelines for getting back to normal activities. Also, you should contact your cataract surgeon right away if you experience any of the following symptoms after your cataract surgery:
- Vision loss
- Spots (floaters) or flashes in your vision
- Eye pain
- Nausea, vomiting, or excessive coughing
Make sure to follow the dosage instructions of the prescribed medications, such as eye drops or pain relievers. Every patient and every eye has particular requirements, so your eye doctor will give the best directions for a successful recovery.
On the whole, you can carry out these activities within a couple of hours of your surgery:
- Computer work
- Light TV watching
- Showering or bathing
To get the best cataract surgery recovery results ever possible, make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to protect your eye following your procedure. Typically, these instructions are provided to you as a handout that you can take home on surgery day.
If you require cataract surgery in both eyes, your eye surgeon will usually wait about a couple of days to two weeks for your first eye to recover before performing a procedure on the second eye.
Preparing Yourself for Laser Eye Surgery: Quick Tips to Keep in Mind
If you are scheduled to undergo laser eye surgery in Orange County in the near future, it is only natural that you want to make sure that the procedure goes well from start to finish. Choosing a trusted and experienced laser eye clinic and surgeon is one step you can take to ensure that, but that isn’t the only step measure you can take prior to the actual procedure. With that in mind, make sure you follow these simple tips to prepare yourself for successful laser eye surgery: (more…)
Contemplating About Cataract Surgery?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with cataracts and you’re looking at who will perform the cataract surgery, the whole thing can feel overwhelming and scary. But knowledge is power. Below, you’ll find the information that can help you make empowered, informed decisions with your cataract surgeon to design the treatment plan that is right for your eyes.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the lens of your eye becomes clouded, which can impair your vision. Most cataracts occur in older people, although anyone can get them. Some cataracts don’t cause enough symptoms to require surgery, and people can manage them with prescription or reading glasses. Other cataracts, even though they are asymptomatic, still require surgery because they prevent treatment of some other eye condition. And some people are very bothered by their cataracts, which they find make it difficult to see and drive, especially at night. The only way to remove cataracts is with surgery.
How are Cataracts Treated?
Cataracts are treated with a surgery to remove the clouded, natural lens of your eye and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens. Cataract surgery is very common, and the rate of complications is very low. Before surgery, your doctor will examine and measure your eyes and you may be prescribed eyedrops to use ahead of time. On the day of the surgery, you’ll follow your surgeon’s pre-op instructions about whether to eat or drink. Your surgeon will numb your eye with drops, and possibly give you a medication to help you relax. You’ll be awake during the surgery, although you won’t be able to see what the surgeon is doing to your eye. Once the old lens has been removed and the new lens inserted, the surgeon will give you a shield to protect your eye. After you go home, you’ll need to use eye drops and continue to use the eye shield until your eye has healed.
What Can I Expect After Cataract Surgery?
Most people see better after cataract surgery. You may notice that colors seem brighter, since a cataract can tint your vision brown or yellowish. Most of the discomfort from surgery should be gone in a couple of days, and complete healing usually takes place within eight weeks.
Cost
If you’re eligible for Medicare, it usually covers cataract surgery. Most private insurance companies cover cataract surgery as well. Both Medicare and private insurance may have requirements that your vision be tested and shown to be at a certain level before they will approve your coverage.
Choosing a Cataract Surgeon
It’s important to choose a surgeon that you’re comfortable with. Your surgeon wants you to have the best care and the best vision possible and to understand any procedure before you agree to it. Choosing to have cataract surgery in Los Angeles might require a lot of research, but it shouldn’t be frightening. Take the time to work with your surgeon and ask questions, and enjoy your healthy eyes for many years to come.
LASIK Eye Surgery: Planning Your Recovery
You’ve done your homework, consulted with your surgeon, and together you’ve decided to go ahead with LASIK in Los Angeles. You’re anticipating being free of glasses and contacts, and ready to get on with your life! But wait–not so fast. While LASIK has a very short recovery time, most people find that a little planning can make the process more bearable. So what are some things to think about when recovering from LASIK eye surgery?
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Healing after LASIK surgery is typically very rapid with minimal pain and irritation. Within 24-48 hours, your vision should be noticeably improved, and typically you will have a follow-up appointment scheduled. During those 24-48 hours, you’ll need to follow instructions from your surgeon. Typically you will be instructed in ways to protect your eyes (such as wearing goggles in the shower) and on appropriate medications (such as eye drops). Most people find they need to take it easy until their vision returns.
What Are Some Things I Can Do While I’m Recovering?
If you like to read or watch television, the prospect of waiting around for a day before your vision completely recovers can be daunting. A nap right after surgery is helpful, but you’ll want to rest most of the first day. You also need to consider how you’re going to eat. This is where a bit of advance planning can make all the difference.
Entertainment
-Consider audio books. Available online or from your branch of the Los Angeles public library, audio books can be enjoyed even while your vision is returning. Before surgery, consider loading a few onto your phone or mp3 player so that all you have to do is switch them on.
-What about music? Los Angeles has the world’s premier entertainment industry. Treat yourself to a new album from your favorite band, load it onto your media devices, and relax and enjoy it.
-Family and friends. If you can, invite family or a friend to stay with you while you’re recovering. You’ll need a ride home from surgery, and it can be helpful to have a second pair of hands (and eyes) in the house. As a bonus, you’ll have someone to talk to as your vision starts to recover–and that’s an exciting moment!
Practical Considerations
Think about how you’re going to handle basic necessities, like food and hygiene.
-Your surgeon can give you instructions about how and when it’s safe to take a shower. Consider that you’re not going to be able to wear eye makeup at first, and that your normal skincare regimen might need to be adapted if it involves creams or treatments around the eyes. (It’s a good idea to ask your surgeon for details.)
-Lay in a supply of frozen foods or pre-program the numbers of a few good takeout places into your phone. Until your vision clears you may not want to use knives in the kitchen, and you probably won’t feel like cooking anyway, so take advantage of the amazing cuisine scene in Los Angeles and let someone else prep dinner.
Follow Instructions
Remember, the instructions your surgeon gives you after surgery are designed to make your LASIK recovery as short and smooth as possible while protecting your eyesight. Following these instructions meticulously and refraining from bad habits are the best way to get back to normal, and to ensure the health of your eyes.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism means that the lens of your eye isn’t the right shape for clear vision. Sometimes this is described as having a lens shaped more like a football, while a normal lens resembles a baseball. Astigmatism can make it difficult to see, and is usually corrected with glasses and contacts. But if you have astigmatism you’ve probably used glasses and contacts for years, and have decided that they don’t work with your lifestyle–or you’re just tired of not being able to see when you wake up in the morning. Perhaps you’re wondering whether the types of laser eye surgery has available can treat astigmatism, and if so, which one is best?
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
Laser eye surgery in Los Angeles uses a laser to reshape your cornea and/or the tissue underneath so that it can refract light properly. Different types of laser surgery are appropriate for different errors of refraction (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism). For astigmatism, LASIK is often the type of surgery that is chosen. Your surgeon will discuss which type of surgery is right for you (see below).
Who Should Consider Laser Eye Surgery?
People with astigmatism often wonder whether surgery will make much of a difference in their lives. After all, they can usually see fairly well with glasses and contacts, so why consider surgery?
You might consider laser surgery to treat your astigmatism if:
-Your astigmatism is mild to moderate. People with mild to moderate astigmatism often experience very good vision correction after laser surgery.
-You’re feeling like glasses and contacts don’t work with your lifestyle. People who enjoy the outdoors, are avid swimmers, or who just hate hunting for their glasses in the middle of the night tend to report an improved quality of life after laser surgery.
-You work in an industry where glasses and contacts are a disadvantage. This includes those with active jobs, such as first responders; professional sports players; and those in the entertainment industry. Laser surgery can free you to concentrate on work, without worrying about whether you’re going to lose a contact or have your glasses knocked off.
Which Type of Laser Eye Surgery Should You Consider?
Astigmatism can be successfully corrected with LASIK eye surgery, PRK, and LASEK, so which type of surgery should you have? Time to call in the experts. Your eye surgeon is the best resource when you’re trying to choose between various types of laser surgery. Different surgeries are appropriate for different types of vision correction, and only after examining your eyes and discussing lifestyle factors with you can your surgeon be sure which type is right for you. Schedule a consultation with your surgeon, take your time, and discuss all your options. Soon, your astigmatism could be just a memory, and your vision will be better than ever!
Ready to Get Rid of Glasses?
If you’ve used glasses and contacts for years and have just started considering the different procedures including LASIK eye surgery, the whole thing might seem exciting and overwhelming. Before you choose a surgeon, however, you should be sure that LASIK in Orange County fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your eyes. Here are a few things to think about before signing up for a consultation.
How Much Correction Does Your Vision Need?
People with mild nearsightedness tend to experience the most benefit from LASIK surgery. Vision in these patients is often corrected to 20/25 or better. Patients with high degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism experience less predictable benefits from LASIK, but it can still be a good option for them. If you require significant vision correction, be sure to ask your surgeon what he or she will do to accommodate that during surgery.
Is Your Lifestyle Right For LASIK?
Police officers, active duty military, professional sports players, or those who are avid participants in contact sports such as boxing and other martial arts should mention their lifestyle to their surgeon. All of these jobs or hobbies involve the possibility of blows to the eye or face. After LASIK surgery, there is a slight risk that a blow to the eye could disrupt or tear the flap of tissue that is formed during the surgery. While small, the risk may cause your surgeon to suggest a different surgery to correct your vision if you have a particularly active lifestyle.
Are Your Eyes Healthy?
If you’re considering LASIK surgery, you may be thinking, “of course my eyes aren’t healthy–I’m nearsighted!” When eye doctors discuss eye health, however, they’re not talking about whether you have refractive error. Instead, they’re considering diseases and injuries of the eye, such as:
- infection
- glaucoma
- cataracts
- keratoconus
- eye injuries
If your vision problems are caused or aggravated by a disease or injury, LASIK might not be appropriate for you. Don’t be discouraged, however. For some disorders, such as cataracts, other treatment is available that can help.
Considering the Cost
Most medical insurance doesn’t cover the cost of LASIK surgery. If you and your surgeon have determined that you’re a good candidate for laser surgery, take the time to sit down and go over your financial options. LASIK surgery isn’t as expensive as it used to be, and most facilities will work with you to make paying for LASIK doable.
Ready to Go Ahead
Once you’ve thought about each of the issues mentioned above, jot down any questions you might have for your surgeon before you schedule your LASIK consultation. Together, you and your surgeon can decide which type of vision correction is best for you, and ensure that you will enjoy good eyesight and healthy eyes for many years to come.
Everything You Need to Know About Recovering from Cataract Surgery
Nearly four million cataract surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, and that number shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to many. After all, cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in the country. Thankfully, cataract surgery in Los Angeles is a highly refined process with a good track record of success rates.
If you are scheduled to undergo cataract surgery in Los Angeles anytime soon, you may be interested to learn more about the recovery process and steps you can take to make sure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. Here are a few tips:
Ask Someone to Drive You Home
Immediately after cataract surgery, you will be allowed to rest in the recovery area of trusted eye center, such as Excel Laser Vision Institute, until the effects of the anesthesia wears off. This may take 30 minutes to an hour. Although you will be able to go home afterwards, make sure that a friend or family member is present to drive you home as you may still feel groggy or experience a bit of blurry vision in the treated eye.
Quick List of Things to Avoid
Once you arrive home, you may want to lie down in bed and rest for several hours before you get up and move around. Feel free to take it easy though one the first day. Typically, you should be capable of computer work and light TV watching at this point.
Of course, there are definitely certain actions that you should do your best to avoid. This is because these actions put a lot of pressure on the eyes, which may lead to slower recovery times. There is also the possibility of an eye infection:
- Heavy lifting
- Bending over
- Swimming in a pool or hot tub
- Rub the treated eye
Don’t Panic if You Notice These Signs!
As your eye recovers from successful cataract surgery, you may begin to notice that your eyesight has improved significantly compared to before you had the procedure done. At the same time, you may begin to notice “symptoms” that may make you feel nervous. If you notice any of the following signs, do not panic as they are a normal part of the recovery process:
- Slightly blurry vision – Your eye still needs to adjust to the new intraocular lens. This should only last for an hour or two after surgery
- Bloodshot eyes – This is common as the blood vessels in the eye sustained temporary damage during the procedure. The redness will dissipate quickly over the course of several days.
LASIK Eye Surgery in Los Angeles: A Great Solution to Astigmatism
A healthy cornea is curved uniformly in the vertical and horizontal directions, allowing for a clear view at all times. However, the cornea can be irregularly shaped, which introduces vision challenges because it is unable to focus light rays onto a single point. To a person with an irregularly shaped cornea, far objects can appear blurry or distorted, a condition that eye experts refer to as astigmatism.
Astigmatism makes it difficult to focus on the fine details of the things you are looking at. The most common solutions for the condition include eyeglasses and contact lenses. However, there is a more permanent and more convenient solution to astigmatism that you may not know about: LASIK eye surgery. Take a look at how LASIK in Los Angeles can be beneficial in the correction of astigmatism.
How LASIK Eye Surgery Works
LASIK is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. As the name implies, LASIK technology makes use of lasers to reshape the curvature of the cornea. The laser will remove minute amounts of tissue from the cornea and make the curvature more uniform. When the curvature is corrected, the cornea will be able to focus light better, resulting in improved vision.
A More Permanent and Convenient Solution
Contact lenses and eyeglasses offer temporary respite from astigmatism. Take them off, and your vision goes back to being frustratingly blurry. What’s more, wearing these visual aids can keep you from living a full and healthy life, because you won’t be able to participate in certain activities, lest you run the risk of damaging your glasses or losing a lens. These problems disappear if you opt for LASIK eye surgery.
What to Expect from a LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure
Don’t let the name fool you. Though LASIK is a form of surgery, it is minimally invasive in nature. A typical LASIK procedure takes around 30 minutes to complete, give or take. Downtime is also minimal, as patients can normally get back to their daily routine 24 hours after surgery. It is important not to rub your eyes as they recover, and use eye drops to keep them lubricated.
Before you can undergo LASIK eye surgery however, your Los Angeles LASIK surgeons must first confirm that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Schedule a consultation with surgeon you can trust to determine your eligibility, and to have all your questions about LASIK answered by a qualified professional.
Orange County Laser Eye Surgery: Understanding Laser Eye Enhancement
The results of laser eye surgery procedure are permanent. However, the procedure does not account for the natural degradation of one’s eyesight as a result of aging or an existing medical condition. As such, even after receiving laser eye surgery from the best LASIK surgeons, you may require a second surgery in the near or distant future.
Why would I need a second laser eye surgery?
A second laser eye surgery can be performed soon after your original surgery or later in life. In the six months after your surgery, your surgeon will require you to make follow up visits to see how well you are healing. Side effects such as blurred vision, light sensitivity, and halos of light are normal post-surgery, but if these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, they can mean that your initial surgery wasn’t so successful, so you’re going to need to undergo laser eye surgery a second time.
Some patients require a second laser eye surgery later in life. As a person ages, they may experience a regression in their vision. For those who are starting to rely more and more on eyeglasses and contact lenses to see after a few years down the line, you may require secondary laser eye surgery, which surgeons call laser eye surgery enhancement. Consult your surgeon to know the appropriate course of action for the symptoms you are experiencing.
What do I need to know about laser eye enhancement?
The laser eye enhancement procedure is very similar to your initial surgery, except a corneal flap is not created. Instead, the surgeon will reopen the original flap and correct the shape of the cornea again with a laser.
Laser eye surgery enhancement is a painless procedure that generally takes less time to complete than the prior surgery. Often, the reshaping required to correct the cornea is minimal, so the procedure can be over in a minute or two. Postoperative care is pretty much the same as your initial eye surgery. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions to ensure you achieve the desired results.
Am I qualified for laser eye enhancement?
Not all laser eye surgery patients will be eligible for an enhancement procedure. Consult with your LASIK surgeon in Orange County regarding the policies for laser eye enhancement and to confirm that you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Preparing for LASIK Eye Surgery: Important Dos and Don’ts to Remember
Hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo refractive surgical procedures each year to correct a variety of vision problems like nearsightedness. This makes it possible to do things that you couldn’t do as well anymore like cleaning and reading because of poor eyesight! If you are interested in correcting your vision, you may want to set an appointment at a laser vision correction center in Los Angeles and inquire whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery.
After a thorough eye exam, your eye surgeon will determine whether you are eligible for LASIK surgery. If you are cleared for the procedure, it’s only natural that you want to do anything you can to make sure it goes smoothly. With that in mind, be sure to follow these quick tips:
Take Off Your Contact Lenses
If you wear contact lenses on a daily basis, it is important that you stop using your lenses several weeks prior to LASIK eye surgery. Contact lenses tend to reshape your corneas with continued use. This may negatively impact the results of the procedure such as poor vision. A few weeks of not wearing your contact lenses should be enough time for your corneas to assume their natural shape.
Inform Your Doctor of Any Prescription Medication
In the event that you are taking any prescription medication, be sure to discuss your usage with your doctor during pre-examination. Certain prescription medications may interfere with the post-procedure healing process. An experienced doctor, such as Dr. Ferzaad Moosa, will tell you which ones you can continue taking and which ones you should stop taking prior to LASIK surgery.
Arrange a Ride Home from the Surgery
Talk to a family member or a close friend and ask them if they can drive you to and from your surgery. Although LASIK surgery is non-invasive by nature, you may find that your vision will stay blurry for a few hours after the procedure as your eyes adjust to the changes made. As you can imagine, this will leave you unable to drive yourself home. Make sure you ask someone you trust to accompany you and help you get home safely.
Skip Your Morning Beauty Ritual
For the women out there, you’ll want to skip putting on make-up, perfume, lotion, and the like on the day of the procedure. These products may leave forms of debris in you eye, which may lead to infections after the procedure. Play it safe and skip your morning beauty rituals. You may also want to take a more cautious approach and use artificial tears to flush out any debris from your eyes the night before.