Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Although it is a routine and safe procedure, performing surgery on one eye at a time is preferred for several reasons:
Minimized Risk: By spacing out surgeries, any rare complications from the first surgery can be addressed before proceeding with the second.
Post-Surgical Monitoring: The healing and visual improvement from the first surgery are monitored before scheduling the second surgery. This helps guide treatment decisions for the other eye.
Patient Comfort: Recovering from cataract surgery involves adjusting to changes in vision, which can be more comfortable when done one eye at a time.
Cataract surgery is quick, generally taking around 10 to 15 minutes per eye. However, recovery may take a few weeks. Patients usually notice vision improvement within a few days, but full healing can take up to 4-6 weeks. Following your doctor’s post-operative care instructions is crucial for a smooth recovery, including avoiding strenuous activities that could strain the eye.
Several factors influence this waiting period:
Managing Vision Between Surgeries
After the first cataract surgery, patients may experience imbalanced vision between the treated and untreated eyes. The treated eye may have clearer vision, while the untreated eye with cataracts might still have blurred or cloudy vision. During this period, you may need temporary glasses or other visual aids to manage this imbalance.