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After cataract surgery, your doctor may put an eye patch or protective shield over your eye, and you’ll spend about a half hour in a recovery area. You cannot drive immediately following the surgery, so be sure to make arrangements beforehand for someone to drive you home once the doctor clears you.

How will I feel after cataract surgery?

For many patients, the difference in their vision after cataract surgery is pleasantly surprising. Below are a few other symptoms you may notice right away:

  • You may feel groggy or a bit “off” from the anesthesia, but it should only last a short time.
  • Your eyes may feel sensitive to light and a bit itchy for a few days following surgery.
  • You may notice glare and halos around bright lights at night. This is normal and usually goes away.

A day or two after cataract surgery, your doctor will want to see you to make sure you’re free of infection and recovering well.

How long to recover from cataract surgery?

After cataract surgery, you can typically go back to your low-impact daily activities – with the exception of driving – after 24 hours. Your eye doctor will let you know of any other restrictions after cataract surgery as well as when you can drive again, but you should be able to resume exercise after about a week. If you’re unsure about what tasks are permitted after surgery, call your doctor. After about a month, cataract surgery recovery should be virtually complete, and, with your doctor’s approval, you’ll soon be back to all your favorite activities – including driving, golfing, jogging, gardening, reading, and traveling.

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