Cataract FAQ

Will I be asleep during cataract surgery?

Since this procedure does not take very long, it is unnecessary to put you completely asleep with general anesthesia. Instead, your surgeon will use a local/topical anesthetic drip to numb your eye and you will remain awake during the surgery.

Does cataract surgery hurt?

Thanks to numbing drops and medication to help you relax, this procedure involves minimal discomfort. Also, recovery time is generally very short.

Who performs the procedure, a surgeon or a technician?

Only ophthalmologists who have special training in eye surgery can perform cataract procedures. There will be a technician and nurse in the room to assist the ophthalmologist.

How long will the surgery last?

Most surgeries last between 15 and 30 minutes. Duration may depend on the type of procedure being performed.

I have cataracts in both eyes. Will the doctor treat both at the same time?

Typically, doctors will perform surgery in the second eye two or three weeks after the first eye. All patients are different, so talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

How long will I be in the hospital?

Cataract surgery is routinely an out-patient procedure. Patients commonly spend only a few hours at the hospital or surgery center, and are allowed to go home the very same day.

How long before I can see after surgery?

Every patient and every eye is different, but some people see well almost immediately following surgery. Patients commonly see well enough to drive the day after surgery. Ask your doctor how quickly he or she expects you to recover.