When can I drive after cataract surgery?

You cannot drive yourself home on surgery day. Cataract surgery is done with numbing drops plus a mild sedative in most cases, and MedlinePlus advises avoiding driving, alcohol, and machinery for at least 24 hours after conscious sedation. Arrange a ride with a friend, a family member, or a ride service before you go in.

After the sedation wears off, the question becomes vision rather than medication. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says you can drive once you meet the visual acuity criteria in your state and feel comfortable with your vision, which can be as early as the day after surgery. Most surgeons check your vision at the day 1 follow up visit and give you an answer then, so it is common to be cleared somewhere in the 24 to 48 hour window.

Some people need longer, and that is normal. AAO notes that if only one eye has been operated on, you may have trouble with depth perception or an imbalance between the two eyes until the second eye is done, which is often about two weeks later. Glare, halos, and light sensitivity are also common in the first days, so plenty of people wait a week or two before driving at night even after they are cleared for daytime driving.

AAO also points out that the world often looks brighter after surgery, and that sunglasses can help with bright headlights and sun. If your vision is still blurry, doubled, or fluctuating when you sit in the driver's seat, do not drive, and call the office. Your operating surgeon's clearance overrides every timeline on this page.