I recently went through my first cataract surgery, and while the doctors give you a stack of papers, the real-world experience is a bit different. If you are over 60 like me, you might be feeling nervous about the process. Here is some practical advice on how to navigate that first week of recovery based on my own experience and what I wish I had known beforehand.
Preparing Your Home
Before you head to the surgery center, make sure your house is ready. Since you won’t be able to bend over or lift anything heavy for a few days, move the things you use daily to waist-high counters. I made the mistake of leaving my coffee filters in a bottom cabinet and had to ask my neighbor to come over and move them up for me. Also, stock up on easy-to-reheat meals. You won’t want to be hovering over a hot stove or chopping vegetables while your vision is settling.
Managing the Eye Drops
The most important part of recovery is the eye drops. You will likely have two or three different types to use several times a day. It gets confusing fast. I highly recommend creating a paper chart where you can check off each dose. My doctor also suggested keeping the anti-inflammatory drops in the refrigerator (check with yours first). The cold sensation makes it much easier to tell if the drop actually landed in your eye or just hit your eyelid.
What It Feels Like
Expect things to look with a bit of a strange tint at first. For the first 24 hours, my vision was actually quite blurry, and colors looked incredibly bright—almost neon. Don’t panic; this is normal as your brain adjusts to the new lens. You might also feel a “gritty” sensation, like there is a piece of sand in your eye. This is usually just the incision healing. However, if you feel sharp, stabbing pain, call the clinic immediately.
Sleep and Protection
You will be given a plastic shield to wear at night. Wear it! It is annoying, but it prevents you from accidentally rubbing your eye in your sleep. I found that using a travel neck pillow helped me stay on my back so I didn’t roll over onto the side that was operated on. Also, keep a pair of dark sunglasses by the door. Even indoors, the light can feel overwhelming for the first few days.
Take it slow, follow the schedule, and don’t rush back into heavy housework. The clarity you get afterward is worth the week of being careful.