Expectations: Your Vision After Getting Cataract Surgery in One Eye
What should you expect of your vision after getting cataract surgery in one eye? Should you expect there to be vision imbalances between both of your eyes? Or will everything be smooth sailing and perfect vision from here on out?
Fortunately, the recovery process after cataract surgery is usually quick and painless. But, there can be some blurriness, and there is an adjustment period. This process depends on the health of your eye and sometimes what type of lens you receive.
Let’s quickly take a look at two common cataract surgery lens options and dig a little deeper into cataract surgery and post-surgery vision expectations.
Additional Reading: Learn more about what to expect after cataract surgery
Is cataract surgery in only one eye common?
Can you have cataract surgery in one eye only? Yes, you can. In fact, you can have cataract surgery in just one eye or cataract surgery in both eyes at once, depending on the needs of your particular eyes. We recommend discussing these needs with your trusted ophthalmologist.
Cataract surgery lens options
There are two main types of lenses used during cataract surgery: monofocal lenses and multifocal lenses. (A third option, Toric lenses, help correct astigmatism.)
Monofocal lenses
- Designed to help with vision for one distance — near, far, or intermediate
- Typically coupled with glasses to see closer (reading) or to see farther (driving)
- May have difficulty seeing in low light settings
Multifocal lenses
- Designed to improve vision at different distances (near and far)
- May have difficulty driving at night (glares, halos)
- Higher likelihood that glasses will not be needed since your eyes can adjust to different distances
- May have difficulty seeing in low light settings
While recovery and vision expectations will vary based on what type of lens you receive, most patients experience a temporary blurriness after getting cataract surgery in one or both eyes as their eyes recover and adjust to their new lenses.
What to expect during the adjustment period
Will my eyes struggle to adapt to each other after cataract surgery? Will I have to work on training my eyes after cataract surgery? Questions like these are common whether you’re getting cataract surgery in just one eye or both.
Aside from blurriness, some individuals also experience a temporary vision imbalance known as anisometropia. Anisometropia typically lasts just a few days after surgery and can lead to double vision or issues with depth perception. To limit discomfort with anisometropia, there are a few tricks you can try out, including:
- Wearing a contact lens in the eye that did not receive cataract surgery
- Picking up some reading glasses
- Wearing an eye patch
- Resting your eyes and limiting screen time
The adjustment period can usually take up to a few days to a few months. Anisometropia tends to affect individuals who select monofocal lenses more frequently, as their eyes struggle to adjust to one type of distance vision. It’s important to maintain open communication with your doctor, so you can get the best possible guidance during this period.
How long will it take for your eye to recover?
The cataract surgery recovery time will come in stages. You can expect to return to work within 1-3 days of surgery, but you shouldn’t expect to have fully stabilized vision for at least a few weeks (3-6 weeks typically). Keep in mind, however, that vision imbalance is a separate issue. If you suffer from anisometropia, then the adjustment period may take a little longer than your recovery process.
Getting started with cataract surgery at Eye Center of Texas
For the vast majority of patients, there are no long-term issues with their vision after cataract surgery in one eye. And at Eye Center of Texas, we have experience performing over 80,000 successful cataract surgeries. We can help you improve your vision (and your life) with cataract surgery and make sure you have all the tools and resources you need to make your recovery process seamless.
Are you preparing for cataract surgery? To learn more about cataract surgery and its benefits, call 713-797-1010 or contact us online today to request an appointment.
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