Why do I not have 20/20 vision after cataract surgery?
Asked by: Kraig Wilkinson DVM | Last update: June 20, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (19 votes)
What are the odds of getting 20 20 vision after cataract surgery?
Data from a study of 368,256 cataract surgeries show that corrected visual acuity (CDVA) of 0.5 (20/40) or better was achieved in 94.3% and CDVA of 1.0 (20/20) or better was achieved in 61.3% of cases.
How long does it take to achieve 20/20 vision after cataract surgery?
Many people have clearer vision within 24 hours after surgery. Most people can see well enough to return to their usual activities after one to two days. Your vision will fluctuate over the next week or two as it stabilizes. Avoid swimming, lifting, strenuous activities, and rubbing your eyes for two weeks.
What is typical vision after cataract surgery?
After cataract surgery, expect your vision to start getting better within a few days. Your vision may be blurry at first as your eye heals and adjusts. A cataract is usually yellow- or brown-tinted before surgery. This causes colors to look dull.
Why is my vision still poor after cataract surgery?
It is very common to have blurry or unclear vision in the days and sometimes even weeks after cataract removal. Most of the time, this is caused by normal swelling in the eye which occurs as a part of surgery. Patients with larger, denser and/or firmer cataracts are more likely to experience more inflammation.
Vision Issues After Cataract Surgery - FAQs (EyeCare 20/20 Retina & Vision Center)
How long does vision imbalance last after cataract surgery?
In most cases, experiencing diplopia after cataract surgery can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how long it takes your eyes to heal. However, in some cases, double vision after cataract surgery may persist for a longer period of time.
Why is 2nd cataract surgery harder?
Patients experienced more pain in the surgery of the second eye than that of the first eye, which probably related to lower anxiety before the second surgery. It suggests that we should consider preoperative intervention to reduce the perceived pain during second eye cataract surgery.
What are red flags after cataract surgery?
Go to eye casualty or A&E if you have:
severe pain after surgery. swelling of the eyelids. increasing redness, pain and blurring of vision in the days or weeks after surgery. distorted vision, wavy lines, flashing light or floaters that were not there before.
How long does it take for vision to normalize after cataract surgery?
As the eyes heal and adjust, some patients may experience blurry vision. Patients usually experience clear vision the day following the surgery. However, for some people vision can take several days to return to normal.
What percentage of people still need glasses after cataract surgery?
That's important because determining exactly where in the eye the IOL will end up — the effective lens position — determines how close the surgeon can get the patient to 20/20 vision. Studies show that 30 to 50 percent of people who have cataract surgery still need glasses after surgery.
How many people lose their eyesight after cataract surgery?
This is thought to be rare, and in a recent survey of contemporary glaucoma specialists, we found that 41 cases had been encountered in the UK over the last decade. These glaucoma specialists estimate the risk of wipeout at a variable rate, ranging from >1:100 to <1:1000.
What is the biggest complaint after cataract surgery?
1. Mild discomfort and itching after cataract surgery. Mild discomfort and itching are among the most common and immediately noticeable problems after cataract surgery, because it is natural for the eye to feel slightly irritated while it heals.
What is the downside of lens replacement surgery?
Cons. If you suffer from nearsightedness, lens replacement surgery can raise your risk of retinal detachment during the procedure. The surgery can be costlier than other refractive surgeries, such as LASIK.
Can vision change 2 years after cataract surgery?
Up to 50% of people experience blurred vision 2–5 years after cataract surgery due to posterior capsule opacification. Doctors can typically treat a person's PCO using laser capsulotomy. This procedure will restore a person's vision and improve their quality of life.
What happens if you don't have 20 20 vision?
Having 20/20 vision means you see the world with normal clarity and sharpness. If you don't have 20/20 vision, corrections like eyeglasses or contact lenses are usually all it takes to see the world this clearly.
What percentage of cataract surgeries fail?
The risk from cataract surgery is very low (< 1%) and complications are very rare. As with any eye surgery, there is a small risk of infection, blurred vision and detached retina. There is a very small risk, around one in 1,000, of permanent sight loss in the treated eye.
How long does it take to see 20/20 after cataract surgery?
So How Long is Vision Blurry After Cataract Surgery? Most people will see improvement within 24-48 hours after cataract laser surgery, although it can take up to two weeks for your eyes to fully settle to the new implants. Most patients are back to normal activities the next day.
Why are my eyes still blurry after 2 months of cataract surgery?
After cataract surgery, many patients will experience blurred vision in the eye where they received the operation. This is a normal part of recovery and should not alarm patients. It takes time for the eyes to adjust to the newly implanted lens. Not everyone recovers at the same speed.
What is the most common late complication of cataract surgery?
The most common complications were posterior capsular opacification (53.3%), macular edema (26.6%), and epiretinal membrane formation (9.52%).
How long does it take for eyes to fully adjust after cataract surgery?
These side effects usually improve within a few days, but it can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover fully. If you need new glasses, you will not be able to order them until your eye has completely healed, usually after 6 weeks.
Why is my reading vision worse after cataract surgery?
After surgery, your brain may need time to adjust to the new lens and how light is entering your eye. Swelling and inflammation: It is normal for the eye to be slightly swollen and inflamed after cataract surgery, which can affect your ability to focus and read. This usually subsides within a few days or weeks.
Can I bend over to tie my shoes after cataract surgery?
You should not bend over after cataract surgery for at least 2 weeks. Bending over will place pressure on the eye and this may cause unnecessary complications to your eye. The main complication will be a delay in the healing process. Avoid bending over by following these rules.
Is it normal to have vision imbalance after cataract surgery?
Yes, There May Be a Vision Imbalance After Cataract Surgery. Cataracts are not generally considered dangerous. However, this eye condition can severely impact vision. It is also very common, so is an aspect of health and wellness that adults should be aware of.
Can a bad cataract surgery be redone?
Cataract surgery is irreversible. This is because the cloudy natural lens that results in a cataract is removed during surgery and cannot be placed back in.
How long is the wait for 2nd eye cataract surgery?
While the wait time between surgeries varies, 1-2 weeks is what is most commonly recommended. The main difference between handling cataracts in both eyes versus one eye is deciding which one to attend to first, usually whichever has been affected more.