Book an appointment

Recovery · Ophthalmology

Cataract surgery recovery timeline

Day-by-day recovery after cataract surgery at Class A international departments — discharge, fly-home clearance, return to work, and full activity.

← Full Cataract surgery guide

Length of stay
5–8 days
Fly-home clearance
Day 3–5
Back to desk work
Week 1
Full activity
Week 4

Day-by-day timeline

  1. When
    Day 0

    Phaco + IOL implant

    10–15 min per eye under topical. Same-day discharge.

  2. When
    Day 1

    Vision check

    Vision often 20/30 day 1. Drops 4×/day, taper over 4 weeks.

  3. When
    Day 3–5

    Fly-home clearance

    Eye shield at night for 1 week.

  4. When
    Week 1

    Back to work

    Screen work fine. No swimming or eye rubbing.

  5. When
    Week 4

    Final refraction

    Glasses prescription if needed.

Red-flag symptoms

If any of the following occur post-discharge, contact the operating surgeon immediately or present to local emergency services:

  • Sudden vision loss
  • Severe eye pain
  • Floaters or curtain in vision (suspect retinal detachment)

12-month tele-follow-up

  • Day 1, week 1, month 1 checks

Aftercare on repatriation

Sunglasses outdoors for 4 weeks. Second-eye surgery typically 1 week after first.

Frequently asked

When can I fly home after cataract surgery?
Fly-home clearance is typically issued at Day 3–5. Eye shield at night for 1 week.
When can I return to work after cataract surgery?
Week 1: Screen work fine. No swimming or eye rubbing.
When can I resume full activity?
Week 4: Glasses prescription if needed.
What red-flag symptoms should I watch for?
Sudden vision loss; Severe eye pain; Floaters or curtain in vision (suspect retinal detachment). Contact the operating surgeon or local A&E immediately if any occur.

Plan your cataract surgery pathway

We'll match you with two Class A hospital options and return line-by-line all-in pricing in 5 business days.

Request a quote Procedure detail