How Long does Cataract and Lens Replacement Surgery take?
A Cataract surgery is the most painless form of procedure there is. With advances in modern medical science, cataract has become a quick and uncomplicated procedure. As long as your health is good and you do not have any major eye problems, your recovery from the cataract surgery should be quick and painless. If statistics are to be believed, your chances of a great outcome and brighter vision post the surgery are tremendous. This life-and vision-changing surgery can permanently eliminate your need for contacts or glasses. However, it necessitates the need for excellent surgical skills as well as state-of-the-art technology. The amount of time taken to complete a surgical procedure depends on the type of surgery opted for by the patient. These can be of two types:
1. Manual Procedure
2.Phaco Procedure
However, regardless of the type of surgery opted for; it takes about 10 minutes to perform a Cataract surgery As far as the association of the speediness of the procedure and its safety, there’s no need to correlate swiftness with sloppiness. The quickness is usually just a sign of experience on the part of the surgeon. The recovery differs slightly, with the Manual procedure; the recovery takes a little longer due to the stitches healing, about 15-20 days. While the Phaco Procedure is much faster, recovery is almost immediate, taking less than a day.
Certain safety tips are advised to patients to speed up the recovery process, for instance:
- Avoid driving for 24 hours after the procedure
- Avoid strenuous or physical activity for a day
- To reduce the risk of infection, no swimming or using a hot tub during the first week.
- If at all possible, don’t sneeze or vomit right after surgery.
- Prevent exposing your eyes to potential aggravations such as grime, dust and wind immediately after the first weeks of surgery.
Do not worry; you’ll be able to perform many of your day-to-day tasks within a few hours after the surgery. Things like computer work, bathing, light TV watching or reading should be no problem at all. The clinic or hospital where you’ve had the procedure will insist you stay on for about half-an-hour immediately after the procedure. After which, you’re free to go home.
Cataracts cloud the eye’s natural lens, casting a blur on life’s vivid canvas. At Seedi Eye Care Centre, we peel back this veil using cataract processing technology, restoring not only your vision but also your quality of life.
Major Steps of Cataract Removal Surgery:
- Preparation: Before the procedure, your eye will be numbed with drops, ensuring a painless experience.
- Incision: A small incision is made in the eye.
- Lens removal: The cloudy lens is gently broken and removed.
- Lens Replacement: A clear, artificial lens (IOL) is inserted.
- Recovery: Post-operative instructions are provided to ensure optimal healing.
How long will I be at hospital for my lens replacement or correction?
Whether you are having lens replacement surgery, cataract surgery or laser eye surgery, 43 Vision recommends that you plan to be in the office for 2 to 3 hours on the day of your eye surgery. This includes registration, surgical preparation, surgery, and plenty of time in the office to ensure you are comfortable and recovering properly after surgery.
Your time in the eye hospital on the day of surgery will look like this:
- You will arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time to fill out any paperwork and answer or ask any questions before we begin.
- 43 Vision will help you relax and make sure you are comfortable and relaxed before the procedure.
- We will apply numbing drops to your eyes to help eliminate or reduce any discomfort. Local anesthesia is used, so you usually do not feel any pain during the procedure.
- After the numbing drops have had time to work, the eye surgeon uses a special eye drop that helps prepare the surface of the eye for treatment.
- An eye surgeon will place your new lens. Within minutes, your vision correction surgery is complete and you’re on your way to better vision. The lens replacement process is usually completed within a few minutes.
- You will be asked to stay in the hospital for some time after the surgery is completed to address any immediate needs and to ensure that your eyes are on the path to healing and clear vision. Patients may experience some discomfort when the anesthesia wears off, but this is temporary and usually resolves within the first few hours after the procedure.
- Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops and steroid eye drops as a precaution to use during the healing process to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
How much time does cataract surgery take to recovery?
Recovery time for cataract surgery is short. Most patients notice improved vision immediately after surgery.
The recovery period varies from patient to patient. Factors such as age, severity of cataracts, and general health can affect the time it takes to heal from cataract surgery.
In general, most patients can expect a “full recovery” where they can resume normal activities in about three to four weeks.
How much time it will take for clear vision after cataract surgery?
In most cases, vision improves immediately after surgery, although the pupils may dilate for 1-2 days.
As the eyes heal and adjust, some patients may experience blurred vision. Patients usually experience clear vision the day after surgery. However, it may take several days for some people’s vision to return to normal.
Patients should be prepared for other mild side effects as their vision clears after cataract surgery. These effects may include light irritation, foreign body sensation, and hypersensitivity to light.
It is not uncommon to have blurred vision for more than a few days after cataract surgery. If blurred vision persists, consult your eye doctor immediately.
What to expect immediately after surgery?
The procedure itself is quick and painless. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and most patients at our clinic can go home soon after the procedure with no patches or eye coverage. Patients should arrange for someone to pick them up from the surgery center as it is unsafe to drive immediately after cataract surgery.
Patients receive eye drops to apply in the weeks following cataract surgery. Eye drops prevent the risk of infection, eye strain and inflammation. Your doctor will advise you how and when to use the drops for maximum relief.
