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Do I Need To Wear Sunglasses After Cataract Surgery?

Posted by: Georgia Eye Associates in Cataracts

Are you thinking about getting cataract surgery? Have you been wondering about what you will have to do post-cataract surgery?

One of the best things you can do to have a successful procedure is to follow your doctor’s instructions. One instruction your doctor will give you is that you need to wear sunglasses post-surgery.

But, if you never wear sunglasses, do you need to post-surgery? Keep reading to learn more about cataract surgery and wearing sunglasses during recovery.

What is a Cataract?

Cataracts are when your eye’s natural lenses become cloudy due to proteins breaking down in them. These proteins clump together and create a cloudy or foggy window effect in your vision.

Foggy vision makes it hard to drive at night and perform detail-oriented tasks like reading or sewing. As you get older, developing cataracts is extremely common.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

During cataract surgery, your surgeon will replace your natural lenses with artificial ones. These artificial lenses are intraocular lenses.

Intraocular lenses or IOLs will give you clear vision again. They can even give you the best eyesight you’ve ever had, depending on what type of lens you choose.

What Happens After Cataract Surgery?

After surgery, your eye doctor will give you specific instructions for proper healing. Also, you will have to attend follow-up appointments to check on the healing process.

One of the most important instructions you will receive is to avoid rubbing your eyes. Your eyes will be healing, and rubbing them could reopen the incision in your cornea.

Also, it is best to avoid getting any germs in your eyes because they will be more prone to infection as they heal. Your doctor will prescribe you eye drops to help your eyes heal faster and reduce your urge to rub them.

Do I Need to Wear Sunglasses After Cataract Surgery?

Yes, after cataract surgery, you need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. After surgery, your eyes are healing and are more sensitive to the sun’s rays than usual.

Anytime you go outside, you need to wear sunglasses. Whether it’s raining or sunny, the sun is giving off damaging UV rays.

You need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from this UV radiation. Also, if you are going to be outside during the middle of the day, you should wear wide-brimmed sunglasses.

The sun is at its brightest from about 10 am to 2 pm. During this period, you have a higher risk of sun damage, so you need to protect your eyes!

What Type of Sunglasses Should I Get?

When getting sunglasses after cataract surgery, be sure to get ones that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. It would be best if you also got glasses that block light from getting in on the sides of your face.

You want to keep sunlight out of your eyes as much as possible while they heal.

Are you unsure if you have cataracts or not? Schedule a cataract screening at Georgia Eye Associates in Atlanta, GA, and get ready to have clear eyesight again!