A Few Things You Can Expect After Cataract Surgery

If you have a cataract surgery scheduled with your local ophthalmologist, then you will need to wear an eye shield for a day or two. This shield prevents you from rubbing or touching your eye that has undergone surgery. Your ophthalmologist will often remove the shield for you during your first post-op visit. You may be surprised by a few things once the shield is removed. Keep reading to learn about these things and also why you may experience them. 

Wavy Vision

Once the eye shield is removed, you will probably expect to see clearly. However, this is sometime not the case. While some people may see clear a few hours after the cataract operation, others will experience some distortion. The distortion will include blurred sight as well as some sensitivity to light. Most people will notice their vision becoming clearer with every day that passes after the operation.

In some cases, wavy vision will continue for some time. This is caused by a mild side effect of the surgery called cystoid macular edema. The problem occurs when post operative fluids build up in the eye and flow underneath the eye macula. When the macula is affected, you typically will not see fine details and you may have issues with your central vision.

Your physician may advise you to consider your vision carefully in the days following your surgery. If the blurring continues, then steroid eye drops can be prescribed. This will reduce the macula swelling and allow the fluid to drain naturally away from the eye. 

Sometimes steroid eye drops are prescribed in addition to antibiotic drops directly after your surgery. This means that you can ask for the drops after your first post-op appointment if distorted vision is noted at this time. Oral antibiotics may be needed as well, so make sure to discuss this with your ophthalmology specialist. 

Bloodshot Eyes

Most cataract surgeries are outpatient procedures. However, the operation does involve a direct eye incision. This allows the eye doctor to remove the old cataract affected eye lens and replace it with a new one. A scalpel is used to create the eye incision. When the incision is made, some blood vessels will be damaged. The sclera contains a great deal of blood vessels in particular. This is the white part of the eye and the vessels release blood into the tough tissues when they become damaged. 

The blood shows up strongly against the white sclera and you may look like you have a red patch of blood where the surgical incision was made. This can be quite alarming and the blood is absorbed by the body as the capillaries heal. If you want to reduce the appearance of the blood, make sure to take antiinflammatory medications. Acetaminophen or Tylenol is typically safe after cataract surgery because the medicine does not contribute to post surgical bleeding. 

You may also want to use ice packs on your eye to keep swelling down. However, you will need to do this very carefully so you do not place any pressure on your eye. Speak with your eye doctor about special gel-based ice packs that are made especially for the eyes after surgical procedures.

If you do notice some red spots, make sure to inspect your eyes daily to make sure the bloody area does not expand. If it does, then you may have a problem with bleeding inside the eye. If the problem is also noted with dark spots or floaters in your vision, make arrangements to see your eye doctor as soon as possible. Bleeding in the eye can be serious. Blood can place a great deal of pressure on the retina and may contribute to permanent vision loss. Your eye doctor can treat the problem if it is noted in a timely manner. 

If you're curious, click here to find out more about cataract surgery.