Cataract surgery aftercare & recovery
Comprehensive aftercare for all our patients.
At Optical Express, your treatment doesn’t end with the surgery itself. It’s important to us that you’re completely satisfied with the level of care after your procedure.
We’ve designed a full and very effective aftercare programme. It’s customised to each individual patient’s requirements. We believe that’s essential to ensure that your vision is the best it can be after surgery.
Your aftercare timeline
We'll take good care of your vision following your cataract surgery.
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Same day
What happens after cataract surgery?
After cataract surgery, patients generally experience a low level of discomfort. Your surgeon will provide you with medication to manage this and also ensure a successful healing process. Once surgery is complete, you will return home to rest and start your recovery. For the first few days, it's important to avoid activities which are strenuous for your eyes, such as driving and you must be careful not to rub your eyes or get them wet. A small number of patients may require their second eye to be treated the following day.
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1 and 7 days
Optometrist aftercare appointment
We'll take excellent care of your vision following your cataract surgery. Our clinical care team will conduct a thorough assessment the day after your surgery to check that your eyes have started to heal well and you'll have a further follow up appointment one week after surgery.
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The first year
Visit us again
We provide 12 months of aftercare as standard. Within this time, you should return for regular aftercare appointments as recommended by your optometrist. You'll also have access to a 24 hour helpline in the first 12 months following surgery, for complete peace of mind.
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One year on
Annual examinations
Just like a visit to the dentist, eye examinations should be a regular part of your regular health checks. Visit us once a year to help maintain your eye health.
Don't just take our word for it, find out how we've helped our amazing patients enjoy the things they love!
Read Patient ReviewsStill have questions?
Here are the answers to the questions we get asked most frequently.
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What happens after I have had cataract surgery?
The short answer is: A quick recovery period
It can take up to two weeks for your eyes to settle after cataract surgery. You should attend your follow-up appointments as planned and follow the advice given by your optometrist and your surgeon. -
Do I need to take medication after having cataract surgery?
The short answer is: Yes
Following your surgery, your surgeon will provide you with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops which will aid the healing process. -
How long can I expect to have discomfort after cataract surgery?
The short answer is: A very short period of time
Cataract surgery isn't painful, as your eyes are anaesthetised with highly effective numbing drops. When these wear off, you will notice some discomfort. In the vast majority of cases, this reduces quickly, as your recovery progresses. -
How quickly can I expect to see results with cataract surgery?
The short answer is: Within two weeks, but sometimes as quickly as 24 hours
While some of our cataract surgery patients notice an improvement in just one day, the vast majority of patients see an improvement within two weeks. -
Will I need further treatments?
The short answer is: Possibly
It's not unusual for cataract patients to require further YAG laser treatment in the months or years following cataract surgery. It's a safe and effective treatment which aims to return your vision to a high standard.