# What Should Be Considered After Cataract Surgery?

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/cataract-treatments/what-should-be-considered-after-cataract-surgery

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-06

> **Summary:** Cataract surgery, one of the most common operations in older people, breaks up the clouded natural lens with ultrasound, removes it and places an artificial lens. This article covers what cataract is, its symptoms, the possible complications of surgery and the rules to follow afterwards, such as not rubbing the eye and keeping water away for 3 days.

## Quick Facts
- **Method:** Clouded lens broken up with ultrasound, removed and replaced with an artificial lens
- **Water contact:** Avoid for 3 days after surgery
- **Check-ups:** After age 40, an eye examination once a year; more often if glaucoma runs in the family

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## What is Cataract?
- The lens of the eye, which has no nerves or vessels, loses its transparency, becomes cloudy and yellow or brown, and too little light reaches the back of the eye, so vision falls.
- **Congenital cataract** is present at birth; **senile cataract** comes with age.
- It can affect one or both eyes; when both, one is affected more. Untreated, clouding and vision loss increase.
- Other causes: trauma, diseases of the nervous system, medication use, congenital conditions; family tendency also plays a part.

## Symptoms
- Blurred, smoky or hazy vision, worse in low light
- Pale, lifeless or fading colours
- Reduced night vision
- Difficulty seeing at distance or near; reading and watching television become difficult
- Discomfort from light
- Frequent changes in spectacle prescription
- Headache and eye fatigue
- Rarely, double vision making driving risky

## Possible Complications
- **Sight loss:** A very small risk; poor quality lenses or skipping eye protectors may increase it.
- **Bleeding during surgery:** Higher risk in overweight people and those with hypertension.
- **Infection:** Minimised with intraocular antibiotics; disposable, FDA approved materials matter, cheap materials or drugs raise the risk.
- **Lens placement problems:** Lens power and lens type call for great care.
- **Oedema:** When endothelial cells are lost, the remaining cells enlarge and the cornea can swell; extra damage can make it permanent with permanent vision loss. Corneal transplantation may be needed, and vision may not return to normal 100 per cent.
- **Stinging:** From dryness or irritation of the eye surface or from the drops used; prevent with artificial tears.

## Things to Consider After Surgery
- Do not rub the eye; this can shift the lens or damage the eye.
- Do not squeeze the eye shut too tightly.
- Do not let water touch the eye for 3 days.
- Avoid bending forward and strong straining.
- Use prescribed medicines and drops without interruption.
- Do not apply pressure that strains the eye.
- Do not lie on or next to the operated eye.
- Never skip check-ups; report stinging, oedema or any other symptom to the doctor.

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## References
- Cataract surgery, NHS
- Cataract Surgery: Risks, Recovery, Costs, American Academy of Ophthalmology