What to Expect Before, During, and After Cataract Surgery

More than half of Americans over 80 either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. So, if you’re dealing with one (or two) cataracts and face surgery, you’re not alone. Nearly 4 million surgeries are performed each year in the United States alone.

Even so, it’s normal to have questions (or feel a little anxious) when preparing for eye surgery.

Take a moment as our experts at Maryland Eye Care Center in Hyattsville and Silver Spring, Maryland, walk you through cataract surgery.

What to expect before cataract surgery

Before surgery, your Maryland Eye Care Center provider performs a thorough eye exam to assess your vision, measure your eyes, and determine the best type of intraocular lens (IOL) for you. During cataract surgery, we replace your natural lens with an artificial IOL.

You receive specific instructions to follow in the days leading up to your surgery. These may include:

Using prescribed eye drops
Adjusting certain medications (only do so if recommended)
Avoiding food or drink for a short period before surgery

We review everything with you in advance, so you know what to expect.

What to expect during cataract surgery

Cataract surgery usually takes less than 30 minutes and doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. On the day of surgery:

We numb your eye with anesthetic drops
You remain awake but relaxed and comfortable
We use ultrasound to break apart the cloudy lens and phacoemulsification to remove it
We replace your old lens with a clear artificial lens with your desired prescription

You shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure, although you may notice light, movement, or gentle pressure.

What to expect after cataract surgery

After surgery, we monitor you in a recovery area. Because your vision is blurry at first (and because of sedatives), you need someone to drive you home.

Once you return home, it’s normal to experience:

Mild irritation or scratchiness
Light sensitivity
Blurry vision that improves over several days

We may prescribe eye drops to prevent infection. Take all prescriptions as instructed.

After surgery, avoid certain activities temporarily, such as heavy lifting or rubbing your eyes. You should also notice clearer vision within a few days.

Your care doesn’t end on surgery day. During your follow-up visits, we monitor your recovery progress and make sure your eye heals as expected.

Do you need glasses after cataract surgery?

A common question is whether you still need glasses after surgery. The answer depends on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) we use and your individual vision needs. About 9 in 10 people see better after cataract surgery.

Standard IOLs typically provide clear vision at one distance, so you may still need glasses for reading or night driving. Premium IOLs can reduce dependence on glasses altogether by improving vision at multiple distances, although they may not be right for everyone.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. We help you choose the lens option that best fits your lifestyle and vision goals and explain what to expect after surgery.