After Cataract Surgery (Gray Cataract)

After cataract surgery, questions often arise about the healing process, behavioral guidelines, and possible complications. Here is all relevant information from the first steps after surgery to helpful tips for a quick recovery.

Intraokulare Linse Implantat IOL

What happens directly after cataract surgery?

Directly after cataract surgery, the operated eye is covered with a bandage or transparent protective shield to protect it. Typical symptoms immediately after the procedure include blurred vision, a slight foreign body sensation, or mild irritation in the eye. This is completely normal and no cause for concern.

Patients often notice increased light sensitivity and occasionally watery eyes. Initial measures include the use of eye drops that prevent inflammation and promote healing.

The most important thing is: do not rub your eyes.

Many patients notice so-called “dysphotopsias” in the first weeks after surgery. These are glittering or flickering, or a dark arc in the peripheral visual field. These visual field disturbances disappear in the vast majority of cases.

If you see strong flashes, shower of sparks, or shadows, the retina must be examined carefully to rule out retinal detachment.

Healing time after surgery and visual acuity

The complete healing time after cataract surgery is typically about 4 weeks. In the first days, vision may still be blurred. This is because the eye must first get used to the new artificial lens and the cornea may still be slightly swollen after the procedure.

Within a few days, however, vision improves noticeably. Only after complete healing (about 4 weeks) does it make sense to fit new glasses, if necessary. Until then, visual acuity may fluctuate, which is completely normal.

Behavior in the first weeks

In the weeks after cataract surgery, certain behaviors should be observed to optimally support healing.

  • Physical exertion: Patients should avoid physical exertion such as heavy lifting or sports to prevent pressure on the eye.
  • Water, wind and dust: Water contact, especially swimming and sauna, as well as direct dust or wind exposure should also be avoided for at least two weeks after surgery.
  • Pressure and eye rubbing: It is important not to rub the eye and not to exert pressure on the operated eye.

Permitted activities include light housework, walks, and reading in comfortable light. When outdoors, it is recommended to wear sunglasses to protect the operated eye from sunlight, wind, and dust.

Therapy and follow-up examinations

An important part of aftercare is the eye drops or ointments prescribed by the ophthalmologist. These medications reduce the risk of inflammation and support healing. The exact duration and frequency of application are determined individually and should be strictly adhered to.

Equally important are the scheduled follow-up appointments, during which the eye is thoroughly examined. In particular, the position and clarity of the artificial lens, the healing process, and intraocular pressure are checked. Through these regular examinations, any problems can be detected and treated early.

Risks and complications of cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures. Nevertheless, complications can occur in rare cases. Common but harmless symptoms after surgery include small bruises on the eye, dry eyes, or slightly blurred vision in the first days. These complaints usually resolve on their own.

Rare but more serious complications include retinal swelling (macular edema), retinal detachment, or infections (endophthalmitis).

Warning signs of serious complications are vision deterioration, severe pain, or light flashes. These symptoms require immediate ophthalmological examination.

Tips for quick recovery

For rapid and problem-free recovery after cataract surgery, patients should follow the instructions of their treating ophthalmologists exactly. This includes consistent use of prescribed eye drops, avoiding stress and irritating influences, and keeping all follow-up appointments.

Long-term care and quality of life

After complete healing, occasional eye examinations are still recommended. In particular, you should schedule a follow-up appointment if new symptoms occur, such as renewed vision deterioration.

After cataract surgery, most patients experience a significant improvement in quality of life, as improved vision contributes to more independence and joy of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some patients notice after cataract surgery that their vision has changed. More light now enters the eye, which generally means better visual acuity and better contrast vision even in low light.

At the same time, however, you may now need sunglasses more in bright light. This is normal.

Immediately after surgery, some patients notice disturbing visual phenomena (so-called dysphotopsias), particularly at the side of the visual field, which are associated with the optics and especially with the edges of the artificial lens. In over 90% of cases, these initially disturbing visual phenomena normalize in the first months after cataract surgery.

Often patients achieve full visual acuity as early as the first day after cataract surgery. If the lens clouding (cataract) was far advanced or the cornea was previously damaged, the healing process may take somewhat longer. Then vision is still blurred in the first days.

In cataract surgery, the surgical access points (wounds) are not sutured but close themselves. Direct pressure on the eye can disturb wound healing and also increases the risk of infection.

The most important thing is therefore that you do not touch the eye directly after surgery and do not rub the eye.

To minimize contamination or excessive contact with pathogens, you should also not come into direct contact with contamination in the first days after surgery, for example, not bathe. It is also recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity.

You may read immediately after cataract surgery. However, it is normal that vision is not yet clear directly after surgery.

Eye drops after cataract surgery are important to treat inflammation and ensure an undisturbed healing process. In most cases, we will ask you to use these drops for several weeks.

Infections (endophthalmitis) after cataract surgery are very rare (1:2,000). In the unlikely event of an infection, however, it is of utmost importance that the infection is detected and treated as soon as possible.

Typically, symptoms of infection only appear a few days after infection. Early signs are renewed deterioration of vision, floaters, redness of the eyes, or pain.

If you experience such symptoms after eye surgery, you must see an ophthalmologist for early examination.

In rare cases, the retina reacts to cataract surgery with swelling. In cases of additional retinal disease or in patients with diabetes, macular edema (swelling of the retinal center) occurs more frequently. It often takes many weeks for this swelling to completely subside and for vision to recover.

In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed from its natural support apparatus (capsular bag). After complete removal of the natural lens, the artificial lens is implanted in the capsular bag, which is preserved during surgery.

Since the capsular bag is a natural structure, it can change over the course of life and lose stability. Thus, the implanted artificial lens can slip after surgery. In many cases, this leads to a change in the eye’s refractive power and thus to severely blurred vision.

If the implanted artificial lens has slipped significantly, it must be re-fixed in another operation or replaced with an alternative lens implant. However, this is rare compared to the high number of patients in whom the first implanted artificial lens remains stable for the rest of their lives.

 

Do you have further questions about cataract surgery or would you like to schedule a consultation appointment? Our team at FIRST SIGHT Eye Clinic directly at Zurich Main Station is happy to help you.

We offer you comprehensive, individual consultation – from choosing the optimal lens implant to aftercare – so that you can go into your cataract surgery well-informed and reassured.

Book an appointment

Further Information

Everything about cataract surgery: Procedure and surgical techniques

Cataract symptoms: Recognizing signs

Cataract causes: Recognizing and preventing risk factors

Freedom from glasses after cataract surgery: Lens options and aftercare

Lens options for cataract surgery: Advantages and disadvantages