Cataract surgery is a common eye procedure for correcting the effects of cataracts, which involve the opacity of the lens of the eye. After surgery, it's common for vision to be blurred for a few days, and many people can drive again in 24 hours. However, it is strongly recommended that you do not drive until you have seen your eye doctor after surgery. Your eye doctor may recommend that you wait a few more days before driving. Most patients can return to driving 24 hours after cataract surgery.
However, this depends entirely on the individual patient. The day after surgery, you will return to the surgeon's office for a follow-up appointment. Your vision will be evaluated to determine when it's safe to drive and resume other normal activities. After cataract surgery, you can usually resume your daily low-impact activities, with the exception of driving, after 24 hours. Your eye doctor will tell you about any other restrictions after cataract surgery and will tell you when you can return to driving, but you should be able to resume exercising after about a week. If you're not sure what tasks are allowed after surgery, call your doctor.
After about a month, your recovery from cataract surgery should be nearly complete and, with your doctor's approval, you'll soon be able to return to all your favorite activities, such as driving, golfing, running, gardening, reading, and traveling. Ultimately, the best person to answer when you can drive after cataract surgery is your eye doctor. There are several steps a person can take in the days and weeks after cataract surgery to help their recovery. In most cases, people feel well enough to drive 24 to 48 hours after cataract surgery; however, some heal faster or slower than others. If you're wondering when you'll be able to drive after cataract surgery, read this to learn what factors should be considered. Another consideration is whether removing a cataract in just one eye has caused a big difference in prescription between the eyes. You can't drive right after surgery, so be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home once your doctor gives you the go-ahead.
However, other people may have reservations about the period after cataract surgery and about how long they might not be able to participate in their usual daily activities, such as working or driving. After cataract surgery, your doctor may place an eye patch or protective shield over your eye, and you'll spend about half an hour in a recovery area. For this reason, you should also plan to have a loved one drive you back and forth to your follow-up appointment. While cataract surgery is a relatively simple and safe procedure, it is important to follow the eye surgeon's instructions for the care and recovery of vision after surgery. You may be wondering if you can drive with one eye with cataracts, when the other eye has good vision. Some people will avoid it by placing an intraocular lens implant in the other eye sooner rather than later, even if the cataract in that eye isn't particularly advanced. Cataracts usually form in both eyes (opacity of the eye's natural lens), so you may need surgery on both eyes to improve vision.
If your vision is significantly impaired, you may consider using public transportation or arranging for a friend or family member to drive you until you can have surgery for your cataracts.
