What Can One Expect From Their Eyesight Immediately After Cataract Surgery?

Immediately after cataract surgery, vision is often blurry, according to Mayo Clinic. Patients sometimes have slight pain or an itchy feeling in the affected eye. It’s also common for the eye to tear or be sensitive to light, states WebMD.
After surgery, pain is controlled with over-the-counter medication, and patients wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from light, WebMD advises. Doctors sometimes recommend wearing an eye patch or protective shield for a few days, states Mayo Clinic. Doctor-prescribed eye drops promote healing and ward off infection, WebMD reports. Patients typically experience improved vision the day after the procedure. In about one month, optimum vision is achieved.
Patients should report certain symptoms promptly to their doctors, recommends Mayo Clinic. These include vision loss, pain that isn’t relieved by standard medication, expanded redness of the eye, flashes of light, spots in front of the eye, coughing, and nausea or vomiting.
Cloudy vision is a common complication of cataract surgery, WebMD explains. The outer lining of the cataract is not removed during surgery because it helps hold the new lens. Months or years later, the lens sometimes becomes cloudy. This is remedied with an office procedure that uses a laser to create a small hole in the lining. Following this, light is able to reach the retina and vision is corrected.