Cataract Surgery: What to Expect Before, During, and After

Even if you know that hundreds of cataract surgeries are performed every day in the United States, and that the vast majority of people who have the procedure are very satisfied with the results, you might still feel nervous. 

After all, it’s surgery on your eyes. 

Dr. Clayton Stevens and his team at Stevens Eye Care in Biloxi, Mississippi, understand how you feel. We’ve put together this guide to help you know just what to expect before, during, and after your cataract procedure. 

Cataract basics

Although most cataracts are caused by aging, they may also be caused by injury. The natural lens in your eye sits just behind your pupil. When light enters your eye, the lens helps focus it onto the retina at the back of your eye. 

The lens is usually clear, allowing light to shine through. However, as we age, proteins can clump on the lens, creating cataracts that cloud the lens, reducing the amount of light that reaches the retina. 

Cataracts typically develop slowly with subtle symptoms that may include: 

• Fuzzy or blurry vision
• Problems seeing after dark
• A glare or halo around bright lights
• Duller colors
• Needing brighter lights or stronger glasses for seeing close-up

Some people only get cataracts in one eye, and some get them in both. Generally, Dr. Stevens prefers to correct one eye at a time. 

What to expect when you have cataract surgery

The only way to correct cataracts is to have surgery. During the surgery, Dr. Stevens removes your cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial one that is nice and clear. 

Some lenses, called monofocal lenses, correct for a specific distance. We also offer refractive cataract surgery using artificial lenses that correct for multiple distances, which can reduce or eliminate your need for eyeglasses. 

Here’s what you should expect before, during, and after your procedure: 

Before surgery

Before your cataract surgery, our team will review your medical history, and Dr. Stevens will examine your eyes. If you take medications, we’ll review them with you, because you may need to change your dose or stop taking certain medicines before your surgery. 

You’ll most likely need to fast for at least 12 hours before your procedure, and you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. On the day of your surgery, don’t wear makeup or use moisturizer on your face. 

Wear comfortable clothing and plan to rest for two to three days after your procedure to allow for proper healing. 

Cataract correction

Because cataract surgery is so common, the technology, tools, and process are well understood and straightforward. It’s done in an outpatient facility, and although you’re awake, you remain comfortable thanks to medication that numbs your eye. 

Dr. Stevens makes a tiny incision in your cornea. It’s so small that it heals completely on its own. He then uses an ultrasound instrument that breaks apart the cloudy lens and removes it. 

Once the old lens is removed, Dr. Stevens inserts the artificial lens and secures it. 

All of this usually takes 15 minutes or less! 

Recovery 

Before you leave, we place a protective shield over your eye. The shield prevents you from touching the eye and protects it during healing. Your eye may feel a little scratchy, but we provide eye drops to ease any discomfort and to keep your eye lubricated. 

You’ll need to avoid lifting anything heavy or doing any strenuous activities for about two weeks after your surgery. This helps avoid putting any pressure on your eye as it heals. 

You shouldn’t shower on the first day, and you shouldn’t get in a hot tub or pool for one to two weeks after the procedure. 

Expect your vision to be blurry at first. It gradually clears over a few days, but most people can expect complete healing after a couple of months. After that, depending on the type of procedure and lens used, you may find you no longer need glasses or that you only need them occasionally. 

We’ll schedule your follow up visit so that Dr. Stevens can make sure your healing is progressing as it should be, and you can ask any questions you may have. 

Ready for the next step?

Worsening vision due to cataracts doesn’t have to be part of aging. Cataract surgery can help you continue to enjoy clear vision, and may even reduce your need for glasses. 

Schedule your appointment at Stevens Eye Care in Biloxi, Mississippi, to find out if you’re a good candidate for cataract correction.