Post OP care after cataract surgery

I think the most important thing is to follow your eye drop regime very carefully. It helps to have a pair of dark glasses to wear home from the surgery and for the first couple of days. I found my eyes were very sensitive to light which I think was the result of my pupils constricting and dilating. That action seems to cause pain from the incision. I wore an eye patch at night to keep me from rubbing the operated eye for I think a week. You are supposed to avoid strenuous work or exercise for a week or so. A desk job should be no problem though.

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I had an eye exam after 24 hours by the surgeon, and after 3 weeks by my optometrist. I got a prescription for eyeglasses after 6 weeks recovery. That was claimed to be the time required for full recovery of the eye and when it stops changing power after the operation.

I was seen the day after, and then one week later. Two weeks after the first surgery I had my second eye done, and after those initial appointments was seen after another month to check both eyes, all by my surgeon who is also my regular ophthalmologist. I was told no strenuous exercise for about a week to 10 days after each surgery, but I hate exercise, so this was not an issue. 😃

As Ron says, the most important thing is to stick faithfully to your eyedrop regimen in order to reduce inflammation and avoid infection. I was given a pair of very dark glasses to wear home, and wore them around the house for the first few days after each surgery. You will be astonished at how bright and clear everything suddenly is; sunlight, whether inside or out, is blinding. I also had a plastic eye shield, which I wore home from the surgery and at night for about a week.