What is cataract surgery recovery like?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Most people recover quickly: home the same day, drops for about four weeks, and a short list of things to avoid. NHS guidance says vision can be blurry for a few hours and the eye may hurt for a few days, with prescribed eye drops for about four weeks to support healing and prevent infection. The avoid list: no rubbing the eye, no driving until vision is back to normal, no heavy lifting or sports, no eye makeup, no water in the eye, and no swimming. A dressing or shield protects the eye early on, and sunglasses help with light sensitivity. Full settling, including a stable glasses prescription, takes several weeks.
What to do
- Use the drops exactly as prescribed for the full course, about four weeks.
- Do not rub or press the eye, and wear the shield at night if given one.
- Skip driving, lifting, sport, makeup, and swimming until your team clears each one.
- Call promptly for worsening pain, dropping vision, growing redness, flashes, or a shadow over sight.
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