Unlike post-cataract surgery, it could take longer to be able to start driving after glaucoma surgery. Driving, reading, bending and any sort of heavy-lifting is best avoided the week after surgery, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Vision changes can last up to six weeks after the surgery, including blurry vision and sensitivity to light. It has been recorded that in some cases, vision may worsen due to low pressure and cataracts may develop, leading to yet another surgery.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
- Halos around lights
- Severe eye pain/reddening of the eye
- Sudden onset of visual disturbance, usually in low light
- Blurred vision
Post-Surgery and Recovery
According to the Eye Center of Texas, some patients reported they felt comfortable driving within a couple of weeks, and others preferred to wait up to two months. But the overall sense was that protective eyewear was needed. Suggested eyewear includes polarized sunglasses, as the benefits include reduced glare, less eye-strain, and enhanced clarity. Due to the inflammation after surgery, more light is entering the eye causing sensitivity to light, and polarized lenses can help combat some of the sensitivity, eliminating horizontal glare reflecting off certain surfaces.
Combining polarized sunglasses with polarized car visor extenders can enhance protection for your eyes, decreasing risk of further damage or setbacks in recovery. In some cases, a combined cataract-glaucoma surgery is performed and this is described as removing a pair of sunglasses after many years, causing the sensitivity to light to be extreme. The combined cataract-glaucoma surgery can take over two months recovery time and polarized lenses are highly suggested for everyday use. If you or someone you know had cataract surgery visit our post about driving after cataract surgery!