Cataract surgery can be life-changing. It often enhances your perspective on the world and your ability to function in daily life. However, one question patients frequently ask is whether it’s safe to drive after the procedure and how long they need to wait before doing so.
Immediate Recovery: What Happens Right After Surgery
The cataract surgery itself is usually quick. It’s done under local anesthesia with a sedative to help you relax. Most patients head home the same day.
That being said, you won’t be driving yourself home. After surgery, your vision may be blurry for several hours. Some people notice sensitivity to light or mild discomfort. Others describe a fog-like sensation. Because of this, doctors require a friend or family member to drive you home.
Even if you feel alert, your depth perception and reaction time might be temporarily affected. For this reason alone, driving yourself is strongly discouraged on the day of surgery.
The First 24 Hours
You’ll likely be asked to rest for the remainder of the day. Avoiding physical strain is recommended. This gives your eye time to begin healing without disturbance.
Some people notice clearer vision within a few days. Others find it may take a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the cataract. Either way, don’t assume it’s safe to get behind the wheel after just one night.
Your eye doctor will typically schedule a follow-up appointment within the first 24 hours. This appointment is meant to check your progress and identify any early signs of complications. At this visit, your doctor may discuss driving readiness-but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be cleared.
Typical Timeframe Before Driving
Most people are cleared to drive within 24 to 72 hours after surgery. But this depends entirely on individual recovery. If your vision improves quickly and meets your country’s legal driving standards, your doctor may approve driving sooner.
However, some people need more time. Healing speeds vary, and your doctor will only approve driving once you can do it safely. This usually means:
- You can see clearly at both near and far distances.
- You don’t have glare or halos that interfere with safe vision.
- You’re not using heavy prescription eye drops that affect vision.
- Both eyes are working well enough together for depth perception.
Driving After Surgery in One Eye
If you had surgery on only one eye, your ability to drive safely will also depend on how well your untreated eye functions. If your non-operated eye still has a significant visual issue, you may need to wait longer.
On the other hand, if the untreated eye sees well, and your treated eye is healing as expected, you may be able to resume driving sooner. Still, the best practice is to wait until you’ve had your post-op check and received a green light from your provider.
Prescription Glasses and Visual Balance
Another factor to keep in mind is your prescription. If you previously wore glasses, your current lenses may no longer work well after surgery-especially if only one eye was operated on.
That mismatch between the eyes can create an imbalance. You might experience eye strain or slight dizziness when trying to focus. This makes driving risky.
In cases like this, your doctor may suggest temporary lens adjustments or advise you to avoid driving until both eyes match up better.
If both eyes are operated on within a short timeframe, the adjustment period is usually smoother. The need for updated glasses comes after the second eye surgery, once healing stabilizes.
What Doctors Look For Before Giving You the All-Clear
Your doctor won’t use guesswork. They follow a list of practical checkpoints to determine if you’re ready to resume driving:
- Vision Sharpness: Your visual acuity must meet the required level for driving in your region.
- Field of View: You should have no major blind spots or field loss.
- Comfort with Light: You shouldn’t be overly sensitive to headlights or sunlight.
- Depth Awareness: You must be able to judge distances accurately.
- Responsiveness: Your reaction time should feel normal.
If all of these areas check out, your doctor may advise that driving is safe.
Night Driving After Cataract Surgery
Some patients notice halos or glare when driving at night after cataract surgery, even after their vision seems to have improved. These effects often fade in the weeks following surgery, but they may linger.
If you experience this, try to avoid night driving until it resolves. Stick to daytime errands or take public transportation after sunset. It’s safer and reduces stress during your recovery window.
Polarized sunglasses or anti-glare lenses may help if sunlight or headlights are too harsh. You can ask your eye doctor about options if this is a concern.
Tips for a Safe Return to the Road
Once you’re cleared to drive, ease back into it. Don’t rush into long trips or highway driving right away. Start with short local routes during the day. Rebuild confidence slowly.
Here are a few additional steps you can take:
- Keep sunglasses handy: Your eyes may still be sensitive for a few days.
- Plan ahead: Choose less busy times to drive, especially for your first few outings.
- Stay hydrated and rested: Fatigue affects reaction time.
- Avoid sudden movements: Give your eyes time to adjust between near and far distances.
It’s also helpful to keep your post-op eye drops and any notes from your doctor in your vehicle in case you need to explain anything during a check stop or medical emergency.
Second Eye Surgery and Driving
If you’re scheduled to have the second eye operated on shortly after the first, your doctor may suggest limiting driving between surgeries. This depends on how well your first eye is functioning and how poor the untreated eye is.
Some patients can safely drive between the two surgeries, but others are advised to wait until both eyes are done and adjusted. Follow your doctor’s advice closely.
Special Considerations for Older Adults
Older patients may take a bit longer to recover. Even if the eye heals well, there might be slower adaptation to the new visual signals. This isn’t unusual.
In such cases, it helps to delay driving a bit longer. Ask your provider if additional tests can help confirm whether it’s safe for you to be back on the road.
Some drivers in their seventies or eighties resume driving within three to five days. Others wait a full week or more. The decision should always be based on how you feel and what your care team observes.
When to Be Cautious
You should avoid driving until you no longer experience:
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Glare that makes it hard to see
- Pain or pressure in the eye
- Strong drowsiness from medication
These are clear signs to hold off.
Even if you feel mostly fine, any doubt about vision clarity means waiting a bit longer. Driving is one area where extra patience pays off.
Driving is a major part of everyday life. Most people can return to it fairly quickly after cataract surgery. But it’s a decision that should be made with care-not based on a clock, but on actual recovery progress.
Let your doctor guide the timing. Don’t compare your experience with others. Your eyes are your own, and so is your pace of healing.
With patience and proper follow-up, you’ll likely be back on the road shortly, safely, confidently, and with clearer vision.
Ready to take the next step toward clearer vision? Schedule a consultation with SuraVision today to discuss your options and learn more about Cataract Surgery. Call us at 713-730-2020 or book your appointment online!