cataract surgery is one of the most common ophthalmologic surgical procedures performed in the United States. It is widely accepted as a safe, effective solution to impaired vision caused by cataracts. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure in the vast majority of cases. It takes only a matter of minutes and involves making a tiny incision in the lens of the eye and using high-frequency sound waves to break up the affected lens. Then, the lens material is removed and the incision is either closed without lens replacement or a plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted where the lens used to be. The result for millions of people is clear, unimpaired vision.

The Recovery Process
Recovery begins immediately following your cataract surgery. The eye begins to repair itself instantly after the procedure and most people can resume normal activities that same night. After surgery, you will need to be driven home by a friend or family member, since your vision will be briefly impaired. Driving can be resumed as soon as the next day, based on approval from your doctor after a post-operative exam.

Some patients report improved vision as quickly as the day of surgery, but most people take up to a week to see clear results in their vision. Full recovery can be expected in two to six weeks. During this time, it is important to keep the eye protected from injury.

Is Recovery Painful?
Most patients report little to no discomfort during or after cataract surgery. During the procedure, anesthesia is used locally to numb the area. Afterwards, some patients may experience mild redness of the affected eye or an itching sensation. Your cataract surgeon will provide you with eye drops and a protective eye shield to prevent complications or injury of the area during sleep. These must be used during the first week of recovery in order to ensure proper healing and to keep you from scratching at night.

Possible Complications
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Complications from cataract surgery are rare, however, with significant complications occurring in less than one percent of patients. The following is a list of possible complications from cataract surgery and IOL implantation:

• Infection of the eye
• Bleeding
• High eye pressure
• Lens damage or displacement
• Retinal detachment
• Corneal swelling
• Droopy eyelids
• Clouding of the cornea
• Loss of eye or blindness

As stated above, most of these complications are extremely rare. When you make your appointment with Dr. Cohen at The Fifth Avenue Eye Center, he’ll take the time to explain the risks of cataract surgery with you to put your mind at ease. He’s a leading New York surgeon and has performed countless procedures successfully. If you live in or around the New York area and are interested in cataract surgery, contact our office today. We’re located centrally in New York so that getting here is convenient from almost anywhere in the metro area.