Which eye first for cataract surgery?

In these cases, I usually recommend doing the '[good' eye first so [patients] get something in the way of improved vision with their first experience. Even a well-counseled patient often backs out of the second eye when the first eye goes perfectly, but the retina prevents any dramatic change in vision.


Which eye should have cataract surgery first?

If you have cataracts in both eyes, surgery is performed on the most severely affected eye first. One to two weeks later, you can have surgery on your other eye. This allows the first eye to recover and your vision in that eye to stabilize before surgery on your other eye.

Why is cataract surgery done on the dominant eye first?

If the patient chooses a monofocal lens, generally the dominant eye is selected to undergo surgery first. This provides the patient with good distance vision and fewer night vision disturbances, given that these patients prefer good distance vision over the ability to read without glasses.


Should cataract surgery be done one eye at a time?

As such, most surgeons recommend that you opt to have the procedure performed one eye at a time and allow the first to heal fully and your vision to stabilize before having treatment on the other. This normally means a minimum of a few weeks between surgeries.

What I wish I knew before cataract surgery?

Here are some things that you may want to avoid before and after cataract surgery to ensure that you heal properly. Avoiding eating and drinking before your surgery. Don't wear makeup to the surgery appointment, and avoid wearing makeup until your ophthalmologist allows it so that you can better prevent infection.


For complex cataract surgery, which eye do you fix first?



How many days rest is needed after cataract surgery?

Plan on taking one to three days off of work to be sure you have enough time to rest, but it is normal to resume most normal activities within a couple of days. Simple diversions like reading, watching TV, writing, and walking are okay to resume as soon as you feel up for it after your eye surgery.

What is the scariest complications of cataract surgery?

Endophthalmitis is a serious complication of cataract surgery involving microorganisms that gain entry into the eye. Risk factors for the development of endophthalmitis include rupture of the posterior capsule or the need for anterior vitrectomy during the procedure, age greater than 85 years, and male sex.

Can I drive the day after cataract surgery in one eye?

Most patients are able to resume driving 24 hours after cataract surgery.


How long to wear eye shield at night after cataract surgery?

take it easy for the first 2 to 3 days. use your eye shield at night for at least a week. take painkillers if you need to. bathe or shower yourself as usual.

Do you lose your close up vision after cataract surgery?

It is very common to have blurry or unclear vision in the days and sometimes even weeks after cataract removal. Most of the time, this is caused by normal swelling in the eye which occurs as a part of surgery.

Why is second cataract surgery more painful?

Patients experienced more pain in the surgery of the second eye than that of the first eye, which probably related to lower anxiety before the second surgery. It suggests that we should consider preoperative intervention to reduce the perceived pain during second eye cataract surgery.


Can cataract surgery in one eye affect the other eye?

Once the eye has healed but before the second procedure has taken place, patients may experience vision imbalance, also known as anisometropia. This is the result of one eye having been operated on and the other still having cataracts.

What stage cataract should be removed?

The operation can be performed at any stage of cataract development. There is no need to wait until your cataract is “ripe” before removing it. Most people choose to have their cataracts removed when the change in their vision starts to cause them difficulties in everyday life.

Why can't you drink water before cataract surgery?

Don't: Eat or Drink Right Before the Surgery

While under sedation, there is a chance of stomach acid going into your lungs, which can cause damage. You will need to fast for about 12 hours before surgery to ensure you are safe from this effect.


What is the most common age for cataract surgery?

In most people, cataracts start developing around age 60, and the average age for cataract surgery in the United States is 73.

Do you need to wear sunglasses at night after cataract surgery?

Yes, after cataract surgery, you need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. After surgery, your eyes are healing and are more sensitive to the sun's rays than usual.

What happens if you accidentally bend over after cataract surgery?

What Happens if You Bend Over After Cataract Surgery? You should not bend over after cataract surgery for at least 2 weeks. Bending over will place pressure on the eye and this may cause unnecessary complications to your eye. The main complication will be a delay in the healing process.


How long do I have to sleep on one side after cataract surgery?

Rubbing your eye or even water splashing in your eye can aggravate the chances of infection. You may also want to avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye for the first 24 hours.

Can I be alone at home after cataract surgery?

After the procedure, you will most likely wait in a recovery room until the anesthesia begins to wear off. While you may feel well enough to drive yourself home, we strongly encourage all patients to have a family member or friend drive them home after cataract surgery.

How many drops do you have to put in your eyes after cataract surgery?

The recommended drop schedule after cataract surgery is 1 drop twice a day in the operative eye for a minimum of three weeks. The Preservative Free Artificial Tears can be used up to 4 times daily or as needed for comfort. With steroid eye drops, doses need to be spread out a few hours.


Can you walk immediately after cataract surgery?

We recommend that you avoid any exercise for at least one week after cataract surgery. Any discomfort and tenderness from the surgery will settle within a few days and you can begin with some light to moderate exercise such as walking or stretching.

What not to do after cataract surgery?

7 Things Not To Do After Cataract Surgery
  1. Drive. You shouldn't drive at least 24 hours after cataract surgery. ...
  2. Wear Makeup. Makeup is full of bacteria! ...
  3. Perform Any Strenuous Activity. Until your surgeon says you can stick to light activity only. ...
  4. Go Near Dusty Areas. ...
  5. Swim. ...
  6. Forget To Wear Sunglasses Outside. ...
  7. Rub Your Eye.


Why do doctors delay cataract surgery?

With that said, cataracts often advance slowly — and during their early stages, they may cause very little disruption. In these cases, busy schedules, fear of needles, or other healthcare problems make it easy to hit the “snooze button” and postpone surgery.


How do you stay calm during cataract surgery?

5 Calming Ways to Prepare for Cataract Surgery
  1. Talk to Your Doctor. Asking for a thorough explanation of what will happen during cataract surgery, and what is expected of you, can do wonders to calm your nerves. ...
  2. Practice Breathing. ...
  3. Eat a Good Meal. ...
  4. Get a Good Night's Sleep. ...
  5. Wear Your Most Comfortable Clothing.


Is the second cataract surgery worse than the first?

Among patients who rated second-eye surgery as generally more negative than first-eye surgery, 47.83% thought their vision would be better in the second eye than the first and 3.48% thought their vision would be worse (P < . 05); 48.7% thought their vision would be the same.