Cataract surgery is a common procedure that can restore clear vision affected by a cloudy lens, known as a cataract. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the natural lens of your eye and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision.
While cataract surgery is both highly effective and safe, there are important considerations to keep in mind regarding driving post-procedure. Continue reading to understand the recommended guidelines for resuming driving after cataract surgery!
How Can You Ensure You’re Safe to Drive Following Cataract Surgery?
Clear vision is essential for safe driving, so it’s important to avoid driving until your vision is stable. You won’t be able to drive yourself home immediately after your procedure.
Cataract surgery can result in temporarily blurry vision and increased sensitivity to light, both of which can affect your ability to drive safely.
If you were given a mild sedative during the procedure, its effects may also impair your ability to drive.
For these reasons, it’s crucial to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your surgery.
Most patients are able to resume driving 24 to 48 hours after cataract surgery, but healing times can vary. Your eye doctor will monitor your progress during follow-up visits and provide personalized guidance on when it’s safe for you to drive again.
What Factors Affect Driving Readiness Post-Cataract Surgery?
Several factors can influence when you’re ready to drive again after cataract surgery, including:
Vision Stabilization
While vision often improves immediately after cataract surgery, it may remain slightly unclear as your eye adjusts to the new IOL. During your follow-up exam the next day, your eye doctor will assess and measure your vision and determine whether it’s safe for you to drive or if you need to wait longer.
Difference in Prescription Between the Eyes
Sometimes, having a cataract removed in one eye can lead to a prescription imbalance between your eyes. When this occurs, it may cause temporary double vision, where the images in each eye appear different in size.
This prescription difference can also impact your depth perception temporarily, making it harder to judge distances accurately.
Are There Legal Restrictions on Driving after Cataract Surgery?
In Illinois, you must have at least 20/40 vision to drive. If you cannot achieve this level of vision without corrective lenses, you are legally required to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving.
If your vision doesn’t meet these requirements after surgery, it’s important to wait until it improves. Always seek clearance from your eye doctor before getting behind the wheel.
Regain Your Independence with Cataract Surgery
At VisionPoint Eye Center, our experienced ophthalmologists use the most advanced technology and techniques to help restore clear, vibrant vision with cataract surgery. After your procedure, we offer personalized follow-up care to support your recovery and get you back to driving and your everyday activities as soon as possible.
Have cataracts affected your ability to drive and perform other routine tasks? Schedule your eye health exam at VisionPoint Eye Center in Bloomington, IL, today to determine if it’s time for cataract surgery!
