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After you’ve received cataract surgery, you may expect to see the world in a brand-new light right away. Yet your first few days could start off blurry even after choosing a new premium lens. Is this a normal side effect following cataract surgery, or should you be concerned?
Luckily, hazy vision is a typical side effect of cataract surgery. In addition, you may experience other temporary conditions including:
These side effects should resolve on their own during your healing process and can be helped with eye drops prescribed by your doctor.
It is natural to have initial concerns that your hazy vision means that your surgery was unsuccessful. On the contrary, it is a sign that your body is responding well to the procedure and is healing.
Your cornea (the outer layer of the eye where the procedure is performed) will naturally swell after surgery. As a result, you may experience distorted images or halos around light sources.
Dry eye can also make your vision blurry, especially when combined with inflammation. Cataract surgery itself can temporarily worsen existing eye dryness.
It is important that you follow your physician’s recommended post-op plan after cataract surgery. Your hazy vision can be treated with the following:
Your physician may provide steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) eye drops to help with your initial swelling.
Post-surgery irritation and dry eye can blur your vision for weeks. Your physician may recommend lubricating eye drops.
Following your surgery, your surgeon may provide an eye shield to wear at night. This will prevent your eye from rubbing or unnecessary contact while you’re sleeping, which may prolong your symptoms.
As the saying goes, time heals all wounds. Your hazy vision is no exception, and it is crucial to be patient as your eye adjusts to the new lens and your body reduces your eye inflammation. In the meantime, please be sure to monitor any new or lingering side effects.
Your hazy vision will be very noticeable during the first few days of your recovery, but it should significantly improve within a week and subside in a month. According to Dr. Joshua Rheinbolt, a CEENTA cataract surgeon from our Concord office, “It is understandable to be concerned about blurry vision immediately following cataract surgery. As with any surgical procedure, it is important to allow your body sufficient time to recover. The process of visual improvement can often take between three to six weeks.”
However, hazy vision lasting longer than a month should be discussed with your surgeon, as it can be a sign of common post-op conditions like posterior capsule opacification or untreated dry eye. This can be treated in the office with a painless five-minute procedure.
Cataract surgery is a safe, effective method for removing cataracts and restoring your vision. At CEENTA, we offer both traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgery along with a variety of premium lens options for eyesight that you have to see to believe.
Get started today by scheduling your cataract consultation at one of nearly twenty CEENTA offices in the Carolinas through our online scheduling tool or myCEENTAchart.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor.
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