Cataract surgery is highly effective and generally safe, but the healing process isn’t always smooth or predictable. You may experience temporary discomfort or vision disturbances as your eyes recover. Knowing what’s normal and what’s not can help you feel more confident as you heal. Here’s what you need to know about common cataract post-op experiences, what helps, and when it’s time to reach out to your ophthalmologist.*

Blurry Vision, Dry Eyes, and Feeling “Off”

Blurry Vision Is Common

It’s typical for your vision to be blurry after surgery, especially in the first few days. This is usually due to swelling inside your eye as part of the healing process. If your cataract was large or dense, you’re more likely to have inflammation that makes your vision seem foggy—like looking through a steamy window. Anti-inflammatory eye drops should help ease the swelling and clear your vision within a few days to a week, though it can take longer (up to a month) if you have conditions like Fuchs dystrophy.

Dry Eye Happens to Nearly Everyone

Dry Eye is when your eyes feel gritty, itchy, or overly dry. This happens because the small nerves that signal your eye to make tears are temporarily disrupted during surgery. Artificial tears—especially preservative-free ones—can help, but make sure to apply them at least 5 minutes after any medicated drops. If over-the-counter solutions don’t help, your eye doctor can recommend other treatments.

Post-Surgery Weirdness—From Discomfort to Disorientation

It might feel like there’s sand in your eye, a common reaction to the surgical incision. This usually goes away within a week, though dry eyes can prolong the scratchy sensation. Some people also feel mildly nauseated from IV anesthesia. Drinking water and eating something post-op should resolve it, but if nausea continues, it could signal increased eye pressure—a reason to call your doctor.

Visual Disturbances: Glare, Halos, and Floaters

Various visual disturbances are also fairly typical, and may appear as: positive dysphotopsia, shadows or arcs, and floaters. Pay attention to them, however, as they can also be signs of other serious issues.

• Positive dysphotopsia. You might notice rings, streaks, or glare around lights—especially at night. This phenomenon is more common with multifocal lenses, or if one eye has yet to be operated on. If it’s not due to residual vision error or posterior capsule opacity (PCO), your doctor might suggest using drops at night to reduce the effect.
• Unusual shadows or arcs. This could be “negative dysphotopsia,” which can occur in about 15% of patients. Most cases resolve naturally within a few months, but if the experience persists beyond 3–4 months, treatment may be needed.
• Floaters. These tiny specks or strings drifting through your vision are common and usually not serious. But if you see a sudden burst of floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow, contact your doctor immediately—these could be signs of retinal detachment, a rare but serious complication.

Light Sensitivity, Redness, and Droopy Eyelids

Light sensitivity can signal inflammation. Mild sensitivity is expected, especially from dryness, but if bright light makes your eyes spasm shut or causes pain, you may have iritis (inflammation). Steroid drops usually resolve this, but ongoing symptoms should be evaluated quickly.

Red or bloodshot eyes are usually harmless. Don’t panic if your eye looks red or has a scary-looking blood spot—this often results from minor bleeding and fades within a few weeks. If redness comes with pain or vision changes, call your ophthalmologist right away.

It’s fairly common to notice a droopy eyelid (ptosis) after surgery, likely from swelling or the speculum used during the procedure. Most cases resolve within six months. If not, surgery may be required to correct it.

By understanding these common post-op experiences, you’ll be better equipped to manage your recovery. And remember, when in doubt, don’t hesitate to call your eye doctor. 

*Mukamal, R. (2023, May 3). 10 Cataract Surgery Side Effects, and How to Cope. EyeSmart. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/side-effects-cataract-surgery-complications-cope 

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