BillyD

Hi guys, so I've done some searching and see we've had several threads about cataract surgeries, covering a wide range of topics and issues. My question seeks to focus on one issue in particular.

Roughly how long does it take for the repaired eye to recuperate to the point of usefulness? On average.

I ask because the surgeon has chosen to do the right eye first which means the left eye has to do all the work until the repaired right eye is back up to snuff. Problem is the left eye is so bad it will not be up to the task. If recuperation time is only a day or two I can hunker down using just that lame left eye for that long. But longer than that is very unnerving in my POV.

BillyD

Actually seeing with just that right eye is no picnic either, but it's way better than that left eye.

jadmt

mine literally took no time at all. I typed a longer response on the other thread.

pdlamb

She Who Must Be Obeyed enforced the surgeon's advice to take it easy for a day or two. I was cycling after two or three days, driving by the fourth day. It took a bit of concentration to evaluate vehicle size and change in apparent size instead of using two eyes to estimate crossing distances and speeds at stop signs, but I was able to adapt quickly. What was more troublesome was driving at night; with glasses on, the left eye saw great big blotches of light from headlights, but with them off, it was the right eye seeing something similar.

Disclaimer: everyone's different, yada yada yada.

unterhausen

Did you ask the surgeon to do the other eye first?

If you can swing it, pay for the good eyedrops yourself. Our pharmacy didn't even offer me the option. The cheap ones were unpleasant to use. My doc gave me some one-a-day for the second eye, much more pleasant.

BillyD

You did, thank you! I'm hoping that holds true for most people.

BillyD

I was considering it, but less so now.

How do I know which one I will get, by the discomfort?

bike eagle

I had foggy vision after both of my surgeries, caused by high pressure and swelling. The eye drops got it back to normal, but it took about a week.

Which lens are you getting? That may make a difference.

Alan K

I do not have any personal experience. My father-in-law had his cataracts removed, one eye at a time.
Before surgery he used eye drops for week and continued for 2 weeks after the surgery. The ophthalmologist emphasized that during healing after the surgery, he should avoid anything that might put pressure on his eye, including bending forward to tie his shoe laces. He did not have glaucoma.

His eye patch was removed 3 or 4 days after surgery.

Depending on your age and health, your recovery period may be shorter.

Best wishes.

BillyD

Getting distance lenses, will need glasses for reading, I'm ok with that.

DiabloScott

The first couple days was kind of weird, but after that I was driving and cycling and both eyes were working fine. I popped the lens out of my glasses on the "fixed" eye so that was kind of weird too - but you can get used to anything.

late

Tell the Doc to do the other eye first. Shouldn't be a big deal.

As a precaution, do as little as possible the first day. It took me a few days for things to settle down, but, as you know, YMMV.

The surgery has improved a lot over the years, but it still scares the **** out of me.