Q. What happens in the first 24–48 hours after surgery?

Mild grittiness, light sensitivity, and blurry or hazy vision are common in the first day and typically improve quickly. You will wear a protective shield while sleeping and use prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops starting the same day. Most patients in Yeongdeungpo, Guro, and Gasan return to their clinic the next morning for a first post-op check.

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of normal healing versus a problem?

• Normal: mild scratchiness, watery eyes, slightly blurry vision that improves day by day.
• Normal: a few small red spots (subconjunctival hemorrhage) that fade over 1–2 weeks.
• Concerning: sudden vision loss, increasing (not decreasing) pain, or a curtain-like shadow — seek care immediately.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Q. How long does cataract surgery recovery take overall?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Most patients notice clearer vision within 24–48 hours, but full recovery — including stabilization of refraction and complete healing of the incision — typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Vision often continues to sharpen gradually during this window as inflammation resolves and the eye adjusts to the new intraocular lens (IOL).”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Q. What activities should be avoided in the first week after cataract surgery?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Avoid rubbing or pressing on the eye, swimming, hot tubs, saunas, and heavy lifting or straining (including strenuous exercise) for at least one week. Avoid dusty, smoky, or windy environments, and do not wear eye makeup for about a week to reduce infection risk while the incision seals.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Q. When can I resume driving, reading, or using screens after surgery?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Reading and screen use are generally fine within a day or two, as they do not stress the eye. Driving depends on your visual acuity and your surgeon’s clearance at the first post-op check, typically 1 to 3 days after surgery, once vision meets the legal standard and any residual blur has settled.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Q. What eye drops are needed after cataract surgery, and for how long?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Most patients use a combination of antibiotic and steroid (or steroid-NSAID) eye drops for approximately 2 to 4 weeks, tapering the dose gradually per the surgeon’s schedule. Consistent use of drops on schedule is one of the strongest predictors of smooth healing and low complication rates.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Q. What symptoms after cataract surgery mean I should contact my clinic right away?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Sudden worsening of vision, increasing pain (rather than gradual improvement), a significant increase in redness, flashes of light, a curtain-like shadow in your vision, or heavy discharge all warrant an urgent call to your surgical clinic, as these can indicate infection, inflammation, or retinal issues requiring prompt evaluation.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Q. Is it normal to still need glasses after cataract surgery?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, depending on the IOL chosen. Standard monofocal IOLs correct one focal distance well (usually distance vision), so reading glasses are often still needed for near tasks. Multifocal, extended depth-of-focus, or toric IOLs can reduce — though not always eliminate — dependence on glasses for multiple distances or astigmatism.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Q. How soon can I exercise or fly after cataract surgery in Seoul?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Light walking is fine within days, but swimming, running, weightlifting, and contact sports should wait at least 1 to 2 weeks, and longer if your surgeon advises based on how your eye is healing. Air travel is usually permitted after the first post-op check, generally within a few days to a week, once the eye shows no signs of complication.”}}],”about”:{“@type”:”MedicalClinic”,”@id”:”https://nunehim.com/#clinic”},”publisher”:{“@type”:”MedicalClinic”,”name”:”Nunehim Eye Center”,”url”:”https://nunehim.com”}}