After cataract surgery, we will see you in the office the day after surgery. Patients often see well on the first post-operative day and may decide to have cataract surgery on the second eye as soon as a few weeks after the first surgery.  Generally, there is no need for an eye patch and virtually no post-operative restrictions.  Patients usually resume normal activities immediately after their first post- operative visit. The only post-operative care involves eye drops on a tapering schedule for the first three or four weeks after surgery. Eyeglasses, when necessary are generally prescribed a few weeks after the procedure. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: A new Medicare ruling may save you money and more importantly allows Medicare patients to pay for and obtain the same deluxe multifocal intra-ocular lenses that non Medicare patients can pay for. Medicare or your HMO pays for your cataract surgery including traditional single vision implants, less any deductibles and copayments. These implants provide patients with excellent distance vision. However, monofocal lenses do not provide reading vision. Most  people who have perfect cataract surgery and no astigmatism still need glasses for reading or any other close task. Prior to May, 2005, Medicare patients were not allowed to pay for the increased costs that would allow them to receive the deluxe multifocal implants that both correct distance and reading vision. Since these added costs were greater than the entire reimbursement to the surgeon and the surgery center, Medicare patients were effectively excluded from receiving the extra benefits available with these new generation lens implants. In May, 2005 the government ruled that Medicare patients are now allowed to pay for and receive the same superior multifocal and accomodating intra-ocular lenses that non Medicare patients are allowed to pay for. Medicare still pays for your surgery at its established reimbursement rate for single vision lens implants. If you are a Medicare patient and want the most modern technology implants, you are now allowed to pay the difference between Medicare's established fees and the extra costs involved in providing you these deluxe implants, which often eliminate the need for glasses for distance or reading. Non-Medicare patients are also allowed to pay the out of pocket expenses for these deluxe services.