Cataracts usually develop slowly over many years, and vision begins to be affected as the cataract worsens. Cataracts can eventually interfere with daily activities, such as reading, watching television, and driving. For patients who require sick leave, the recommendation can vary from 1 week to 1 month depending on work conditions.
Cataracts can be removed at any stage; it is not necessarily necessary to wait until the vision worsens. If the patient, for example, has a job as a taxi driver, or sits all day in front of a computer, it is possible that he will require surgery before someone who does not need to strain his eyes so much in his daily activity.
The eye may look red and bruised at first and the patient may feel a little itchy and gritty, but this should go away after a couple of days. Lights and colors can also appear unusually bright. Vision should begin to improve within a day or two, but it may take a few weeks for the eye to fully heal.
Eye care during sick leave for cataract surgery includes:
- Do not touch or rub your eyes for a few weeks.
- Wear an eye shield at night to protect your eyes.
- Keep soap, shampoo and dirty water out of eyes.
- Do not lift heavy objects.
- Do not bend over or do strenuous exercise during the first few weeks.
- Do not wear eye makeup, hairspray or drive until the specialist recommends it.
- Protect eyes from dust and sand.
- Wear glasses and a hat to protect your eyes.
- Do not swim in the sea or pool for at least 2 weeks.
- Rest the closed eye after the operation.
El Dr. José Alberto Muiños Gómez-Camacho, Medical Director of Innova Ocular Muiños Clinic, answer in this video how many days off are necessary for cataract surgery.
