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Recovery After Cataract Surgery: Your Guide to a Smooth Healing Process

Cataract surgery is a life-changing procedure that replaces your cloudy lens with a clear, new one, giving you a chance to see the world in a brighter light. Following a tailored recovery plan is essential to ensure that your healing progresses without complications. Our cataract surgeons are here to help guide you through each step of your recovery journey with care and clear instructions. At ReFocus Eye Health in Hamden, our highly skilled surgeons, Dr. Paul Masi and Dr. Susel Oropesa, blend cutting-edge technology with a personal touch to ensure that your eye surgery is as safe and comfortable as possible. Whether you need cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, or specialized care for macular degeneration, you’ll find that expertise and compassion go hand in hand at our practice.

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Getting Started: The Importance of Rest and Relaxation

Immediately after your cataract surgery, rest is your best friend. Your eye needs time to heal, and taking it easy is the first and most important step in promoting a successful recovery. Here’s the thing: even if you feel eager to return to your daily schedule, allowing your body to recover properly by resting can make all the difference.

Resting doesn’t just mean sitting around; it means giving your eyes a chance to work through the healing process quietly. So, go ahead and take that nap, relax with some music quietly in the background, or even curl up with a light book. Our cataract surgeons recommend lots of rest in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery to minimize strain and reduce discomfort.

Gentle Guidelines for Post-Surgery Activities

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Proper Eye Drop Administration: A Key to Speedy Healing


Minimizing the Risk of Infection

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Meet Our Cataract Surgeons
Oropesa

Spotlight on Care: This Month’s Featured Eye Doctor

Meet Dr. Susel Oropesa, M.D.

Dr. Susel Oropesa, a Yale and Columbia trained board-certified surgeon, has extensive expertise in cataract surgery, glaucoma, retina, and general ophthalmology. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is highly regarded for the care she shows to each patient.

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Reintroducing Vision Correction: Glasses and Contact Lenses

Your eyes need time to fully stabilize before you can receive a new vision prescription. Our cataract surgeons recommend waiting several weeks—often around 4 to 6 weeks—before getting new glasses after cataract surgery. During this period, it may be helpful to continue using an inexpensive pair of reading glasses if needed. For those who wear contact lenses, waiting at least a month is usually advised before reintroducing them. This waiting period ensures that your healing is complete and the new lens in your eye has settled properly.

This gradual approach not only supports a smoother transition but also helps your cataract surgeon accurately assess your new vision needs before prescribing a new pair of glasses or contact lenses. Always consult with our cataract surgeons before making any changes to your vision correction routine during your recovery.

Managing Eye Discomfort and Temporary Vision Changes

Scheduling Follow-Up Appointments and Monitoring Your Recovery

FAQ Section

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Chesire

Your Trusted Cataract Surgeons in Hamden

Cataracts don’t have to blur the beauty of life. At ReFocus Eye Health in Hamden, we help patients from across Connecticut—New Haven, East Haven, North Haven, and even those traveling from out of state—see clearly again. With a 4.7-star average rating from more than 1,400 reviews, our patients’ trust is built on the dedication, skill, and care we provide every single day.

Cataract surgery isn’t just about improving eyesight—it’s about restoring your confidence, independence, and the joy of seeing the world in vivid detail. At ReFocus Eye Health, you’re more than just a patient—you’re family. Our commitment to advanced technology, exceptional surgical precision, and personalized care ensures that your vision is in the best hands, now and for years to come.

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For urgent eye issues or emergencies, ReFocus Eye Health strongly recommends calling a location nearest to you. Emergency eye care may constitute any of the following: 1. vision loss; 2. different size pupils; 3. double vision; 4. bleeding from the eye; 5. Swelling; 6. eye pain that doesn't lessen on its own; and/ or 7. eye pain accompanied by a headache. If you experience any of the following issues above, we recommend that you seek immediate medical attention.

For after-hour eye emergencies, please visit your local ER or Urgent Care Center, or dial 911.

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Hamdem

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