Welcome to the fourth and final installation of the Cataract Surgery Blog: Questions Answered and Myths Debunked.
Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with a new, clear lens.
What to Expect After Cataract Surgery?
You might:
- See halos around objects and flashes of light for the first day or two.
- Feel like your eye is a little scratchy the day of surgery and sometimes the next day.
- Notice your vision has a pinkish hue.
- Have a dilated pupil(s) for up to 3 days after surgery, everyone’s a little different.
- Not see your true visual potential for at least a few days up to a few weeks after surgery due to the dilation and some edema (swelling) in the cornea that normally occurs. Though, as days pass your vision will gradually clear.
You will need a ride home from surgery, and many people prefer to rest for the remainder of the day. The most important things to note are: Do not rub your eye. Make sure you get the eye drops in and wear the clear eye shield at night for the first week. We see you at the office the next day, mainly to check the incisions and eye pressure.
Usual Symptoms After Cataract surgery and Reasons to Call
- Pain
- Increased redness in the eye
- Vision becoming more blurry
If you experience any of the above call our office number, there is always an eye doctor on call.
Post Surgery Restrictions
- No saunas, swimming pools or hot tubs for the first month.
- No eye makeup for 2 weeks.
- No straining or heavy lifting for a month.
You can bathe and shower as usual. Most patients say they see well and go back to normal activities within a day or two.
Post Op Appointments
Your post op visits are one day after the first eye surgery, then one week later the first eye is rechecked, and the second eye surgery is scheduled. The second eye has surgery, there is another one day post op visit, then 2 weeks after a final post op visit for both eyes. A new glasses prescription (often times filling it is optional) is given at this visit. If only one eye needs cataract surgery there is a one day post op then a one month final post op visit.
Cost and Insurance Coverage for Cataract Surgery
Cost and insurance coverage for cataract surgery varies. Out of pocket costs for cataract surgery may vary depending on your type of insurance and specific insurance policy. Most insurance, including Medicare, will cover the procedure under your medical benefits. With all insurance coverage it is best to call your carrier to find out your costs such as: deductible, copay, or coinsurance. Patients may also want to find out what their OOP, or out-of-pocket maximum, is. The OOP is the maximum amount the patient will pay on allowable charges before the insurance pays at 100%.
Limbal relaxing incisions, toric lenses, and multifocal lenses are considered non-covered by insurance. If the patient chooses to have these specialty lenses or services, they will need to pay these out-of-pocket expenses prior to surgery. These options will be reviewed by your surgeon and the surgery scheduler will be able to give you the cost.
Hopefully these cataract surgery blogs have shed some light on any questions you may have about the procedure.
Please call our office if you have any other questions, hope to see you soon!
For more information about cataract surgery visit our services page or contact us.
Millerwoods Health Care Campus
