When can I use screens and read after cataract surgery?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says many people are able to resume reading, computer use, and watching television within several hours of surgery. There is no evidence that using your eyes damages the healing incision. The limit is comfort, not safety.

Expect the picture to be imperfect at first. The National Eye Institute says your eye should feel better after one or two days, that vision may stay blurry during early recovery, and that most people are completely healed about eight weeks after surgery. AAO says vision generally stabilizes over about two to three weeks, which is when a new glasses prescription is usually measured. In the meantime, AAO's guidance is that an inexpensive pair of drugstore reading glasses is fine.

The most common screen complaint after surgery is dryness, not blur. Staring at a screen cuts your blink rate, and post surgical eyes are already dry and gritty. AAO says lubricating drops are generally safe to use right away as long as you open a new sterile bottle and do not use them within five minutes of your prescribed drops. Bigger text, more contrast, frequent breaks, and looking away from the screen regularly all help.

One caution that does apply: do not rub your eye, no matter how tired or itchy it feels, and do not lean your head far down over a book or tablet in the first 48 hours, since AAO advises against putting your head below your waist during that window. Call the office if screens trigger real pain rather than tiredness. Your operating surgeon's instructions override this page.