When you are scheduled to have eye surgery for cataracts, you may feel somewhat apprehensive simply because you do not know what to expect after the procedure is over. Not knowing how you will feel post-op or what you will need to do (and not do) after surgery can be frustrating, to be sure. However, if you get to know some of the basics of cataract surgery recovery, you can be better prepared for the days following your cataract surgery. This will help you feel better about the whole process. 

You Should Be Able to Go Home the Same Day

Unless there are complications with your cataract surgery, you will be able to go home the same day as your surgery. In fact, usually within an hour or two of your surgery being complete, you can be on your way back home. 

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. It takes thirty minutes to an hour to complete. Once your surgery is over, you will be escorted to a room. The doctors and nurses will check your vital signs several times when you are waiting in the recovery room. They will also talk to you to see how you are doing as the anesthesia wears off. While you are not put under completely when getting cataract surgery, you will have some anesthesia to keep you sedated. Doctors and nurses need to ensure you do not have a bad reaction to this anesthesia before you go home. 

Your time in a recovery room will be fairly limited as long as your vitals look good and you have no adverse reactions to the anesthesia. Within an hour or two of surgery, you will be sent on your way. 

You Will Not Be Able to Drive for Several Days

Driving must be avoided after cataract surgery. Immediately after surgery, you will still be under the influence of anesthesia which can make you drowsy, cause poor attention, and affect the vision in the eye that did not have surgery (the other eye will be in an eye patch to protect it). 

However, for several days after your cataract surgery, you will also be unable to drive. This is because your eye is healing and your vision will not be stable in that eye. You may notice blurriness or fuzziness, a halo around the field of vision, double vision, or shakiness as your eye recovers and heals. In addition to this, you will also want to avoid anything that causes stress and elevates the blood pressure, which for many includes driving. Increased blood pressure can cause a rise in pressure in the eye which can negatively affect healing and cause severe complications. 

Knowing these facts about cataract surgery recovery, you can better prepare yourself for what to expect after your surgery is complete.