Recovery

Over the years, proteins build up in the eye and clump together, preventing light from passing clearly through the lens, thus disrupting normal vision. This protein clump is known as a cataract and is a normal part of the aging process. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will develop a cataract. But that doesn’t mean we have to live with cataracts and diminished vision.

When a cataract begins to affect your ability to perform simple, everyday tasks, then cataract surgery can be used to help restore your vision and improve your quality of life.

About Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a painless outpatient procedure that involves the removal and replacement of the clouded lens. Under local anesthesia, your eye doctor will make a small incision on the side of your cornea and use ultrasound vibrations to break the natural lens into small pieces. These fragments are removed and clear, intraocular lens implant (IOL) is put in its place.

When a cataract begins to affect your ability to perform simple, everyday tasks, then cataract surgery can be used to help restore your vision and improve your quality of life.

Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the country and has highest success rate of any surgery practiced today. But you want to know when you can return to work.

How Long is Recovery? When Can I Return to Work?

Everyone needs time off to recover after an operation, even a simple outpatient procedure like cataract surgery. However, most patients can resume their normal, everyday function in very little time and can even drive a few days after surgery. In fact, resuming your normal routine sooner rather than later can actually aid your recovery.

How soon you return to work depends on a number of factors, including how quickly you heal, how well you respond to cataract surgery, and the type of work you do. For a more accurate timeframe, consult with your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist. Recovery can range from a few days to a few weeks depending on your occupation and how well you respond to surgery.

Cataract Surgery with Dr. Samuel Boles

Just because you have a cataract does not mean you need cataract surgery…yet. A consultation with board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles will help guide you through the treatment process and determine when cataract surgery makes the most sense for you.

The Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC) is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts. Dr. Boles utilizes the LenSx® Laser, the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients today, to create a cataract surgery that’s 100% unique to each patient.

If you have any questions about Cataract Surgery or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC), please contact Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Kathryn Gurganus Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or by filling out our contact form.

You can also follow AAEC on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

How Long is the Recovery Time Following Cataract Surgery?

Some patients can see perfectly well the day after cataract surgery and resume their normal, everyday function, including driving, in very little time. Other patients may take several days to fully recover their vision. It really depends on the individual. But there are several recommendations to follow:

The First Week after Cataract Surgery

During the first week of recovery, it is generally recommended to keep the eye covered at all times, typically with glasses, to protect the incision. Additional recommendations include:

Avoid bending over with the head below the waist.

Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds.

Avoid straining to the point of holding one’s breath.

These actions increase the pressure in the eye and can open the incision.

Several Weeks after Cataract Surgery

A few weeks following surgery, the patient will see his/her doctor for a follow-up appointment and to receive a final prescription.

Cataract Treatment in Maryland

AAEC is a regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Board Certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles and his staff have helped preserve thousands of patients’ vision. They can help you too. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, AAEC’s state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

If you have any questions about Cataract Treatment or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center (AAEC), please contact Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Dr. Kathryn Gurganus Turner, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or Click Here to fill out our contact form.

You can also follow AAEC on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.