When your parent arrives at the hospital or eye clinic, drops will be put into the eye to dilate the pupil. The area around the eye will be washed and cleansed. The operation usually lasts less than one hour and is almost painless. Many people choose to stay awake during surgery. Others may need to be put to sleep for a short time.
If your parent is awake, he or she will have an anesthetic to numb the nerves in and around the eye. After the operation, a patch may be placed over the eye. Your parent will rest for a while. The medical team will watch for any problems, such as bleeding. Most people who have cataract surgery can go home the same day. The patient will need someone to drive them home.
After Catarct Surgery
Itching and mild discomfort are normal after cataract surgery. Some fluid discharge is also common. The eye may be sensitive to light and touch. If your parent has discomfort, the doctor can suggest treatment. After one or two days, moderate discomfort should disappear.
For a few days after surgery, your doctor may ask your parent to use eyedrops to help healing and decrease the risk of infection. Ask the doctor about how to use the eyedrops, how often to use them, and what effects they can have. Your elderly parent will need to wear an eye shield or eyeglasses to help protect the eye. Avoid rubbing or pressing on the eye.
When your parent is home, tell them to try not to bend from the waist to pick up objects on the floor. Do not lift any heavy objects. They can walk, climb stairs, and do light household chores.
In most cases, healing will be complete within eight weeks. Your doctor will schedule exams to check on your parent's progress.
Problems After Cataract Surgery
Problems after surgery are rare, but they can occur. These problems can include infection, bleeding, inflammation (pain, redness, swelling), loss of vision, double vision, and high or low eye pressure. With prompt medical attention, these problems can usually be treated successfully.
Sometimes the eye tissue that encloses the IOL becomes cloudy and may blur vision. This condition is called an after-cataract. An after-cataract can develop months or years after cataract surgery.
An after-cataract is treated with a laser. The doctor uses a laser to make a tiny hole in the eye tissue behind the lens to let light pass through. This outpatient procedure is called a YAG laser capsulotomy. It is painless and rarely results in increased eye pressure or other eye problems. As a precaution, the doctor may prescribe eyedrops to lower eye pressure before or after the procedure.
When Does Normal Vision Return?
Your parent can return quickly to many everyday activities, but vision may be blurry. The healing eye needs time to adjust so that it can focus properly with the other eye, especially if the other eye has a cataract. Ask the doctor when your parent can resume driving.
If your parent received an IOL, he or she may notice that colors are very bright. The IOL is clear, unlike your natural lens that may have had a yellowish/brownish tint. Within a few months after receiving an IOL, your parent will become used to improved color vision. Also, when your the heals, your parent may need new glasses or contact lenses.
What to Do If You've Already Lost Vision from Cataracts
If your parent has lost some sight from cataract or cataract surgery, ask the eye care professional about low vision services and devices that may help make the most of your parent's remaining vision. Ask for a referral to a specialist in low vision. Many community organizations and agencies offer information about low vision counseling, training, and other special services for people with visual impairments. A nearby school of medicine or optometry may provide low vision services.
The National Eye Institute (NEI) conducts and supports research that leads to sight-saving treatments and places a key role in reducing visual impairment and blindness.