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Cataracts form over time and can interfere with your ability to see properly. Once cataracts begin to cause visual problems, surgery may be recommended to restore your eye sight. If you have cataracts in both eyes, it typically won’t be recommended to repair both at the same time. This article will share how long you need to wait between cataract surgeries and why.
Summary: How Long Should You Wait?
You will have to wait at least one week before getting a second cataract surgery. It is okay to wait longer than this if your remaining cataract is not causing many issues yet. Your doctor will consider the severity of your symptoms in determining the best timeline for surgeries. You may even be able to wait years before undergoing a second cataract surgery.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts usually develop with age and can happen for several reasons. A cataract is a change to the eye’s lens, causing a clouding effect that can make vision blurry. Cataract surgery involves removing and replacing the lens of the eye with an artificial lens.
Surgery is the only treatment for cataracts which progressively worsen over time and is generally considered to be safe and effective. Cataract surgery is performed in an outpatient setting, meaning you have your surgery and go home the same day.
Why Do You Have to Wait Between Cataract Surgery on Each Eye?
There are several reasons why it is important to wait between cataract surgeries if you need to have them done on more than one eye. The most important reasons to wait before having a second cataract surgery are:
- To prevent infection
- To maintain vision during recovery
The risk of infection with cataract surgery is generally low but if you get more than one cataract surgery at a time the risk of infection can increase. If a person were to have cataract surgery done on both eyes at one time and experience an infection, they could then experience serious complications—especially if both eyes become infected. Getting one cataract surgery done at a time not only lowers the overall risk of infection but makes an infection in both eyes even less likely.
Another reason why it is not recommended to have two cataract surgeries at the same time is because having one surgery at a time allows you to maintain your vision during recovery. After cataract surgery, you will have to wear a protective eye shield to help aid in recovery. Not using your affected eye will allow it to heal faster. If you have double cataract surgeries, you would not be able to use your vision for some time during your recovery, making recovery more difficult.
Factors That Influence The Required Waiting Time
The exact timeline for getting cataracts surgically repaired in two eyes will look a little different for everyone. Certain factors will influence your doctor’s recommendations on how long you should wait between cataract surgeries.
Patient Health and Medical History
Your health and medical history will influence how long you should wait for cataract surgeries. For example, if both of your cataracts are very severe, your doctor may recommend that you get the second one repaired as quickly as possible following the first. If you have other health conditions that could prolong healing and recovery, your doctor may want you to wait longer.
Speed of Patient Recovery
If you recover quickly from your first cataract surgery, you will be prepared sooner for your next one. If for some reason your cataract surgery heals more slowly, you will need to wait longer between surgeries. Your provider will want to proceed with caution if you have complications following your first surgery or if it takes longer than expected to heal.
Complexity of The Surgery and Complications
As with any surgery, complications are possible. Some possible risks and complications that can occur from cataract surgery include:
- Eye swelling and bleeding
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision or vision loss
- Vision issues like glare and shadows
- Retinal detachment
- Infection
Complications of cataract surgery are very uncommon but they can happen. If you have complications from an initial cataract surgery, your doctor will want to wait quite some time between surgeries or may not recommend going forward with a second one. It is important to weigh out the risks and benefits of getting cataract surgery. The procedure is generally safe, with a low risk of complications and a success rate of about 95%.
What Symptoms Can You Experience Between Surgeries?
The most common symptom you can expect to experience between cataract surgeries is blurry or unclear vision. This is a common and expected side effect, usually caused by normal swelling of the eye. People who have more dense or firm cataracts may have more foggy vision that lasts longer.
Best Practices for Recovery Between Surgeries
As with any surgery, you should familiarize yourself with the best practices for recovery. When recovering from cataract surgery it is important to:
- Avoid strenuous exercise or activities
- Protect the affected eye with an eye shield
- Attend follow-up appointments as recommended
- Avoid rubbing your eye
- Avoid driving until your vision is back to normal
- Protect eyes from sunlight
- Avoid swimming
- Have a friend or family member help you at home with cooking and running errands
What Are The Risks of Shorter and Longer Waiting Periods?
Once your initial cataract site is fully healed your provider can recommend the best timing to repair the next. Every patient will differ in the ideal timing of repairing multiple cataracts.
In some cases, it may be okay to wait longer to repair cataracts on the second eye. However, once cataracts reach the point of needing repair, it may be beneficial to move forward with surgery in a timely manner. This is because if cataracts are left untreated for too long it can make the surgery more complicated due to the cataract being too dense.
Visiting an Ophthalmologist at UCF Health Faculty Physician Practice
Seeing a top-tier Ophthalmologist for routine care can ensure that your cataracts are closely monitored and surgical intervention is perfectly timed. The providers at UCF Health Faculty Physician Practice are highly skilled in treating a variety of eye-related conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and more.
Conclusion
If you need to have multiple cataracts repaired, timing out your procedures is crucial. It is typically not recommended to repair cataracts in both eyes at the same time. Because recovery times can vary, the best time to wait between surgeries will look different for everyone.
FAQs
Why can’t you have cataract surgery in both eyes at once?
It is possible to have cataract surgery done in both eyes at the same time, however this is not typically recommended. Recovery becomes more complicated when both eyes are operated on at the same time and the risk of infection increases.
Can you see after cataract surgery?
After cataract surgery, you will have to keep the affected eye covered for several days. For this reason, you won’t be able to see out of that eye after your surgery. Even after you uncover the affected eye, you may still experience some blurred vision.
Do you always need cataract surgery in both eyes?
Some patients will only need cataract surgery in one eye. Although most people with cataracts will experience cataracts in both eyes, they may progress at different rates.