About 90% of patients see better after surgery, says a top eye expert. Here's what experts say about the best timing for cataract surgery in both eyes.
Here’s How Long To Wait Between Cataract Surgery on Each Eye, Say 2 Expert Eye Doctors
Published on Mar. 04, 2025
About the experts
- Steven Reed, OD, is a board-certified optometrist and president of the American Optometric Association. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Reed has also served as past president of the Mississippi Optometric Association (MOA) and the Southwest Optometric Society. His dedication to the field has earned him the MOA James P. Brownlee Optometrist of the Year Award twice, in 2010 and 2016.
- Terry Kim, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist, Chief Medical Officer at Alcon, and Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University Eye Center. With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Kim specializes in advanced surgical treatments for cataracts and corneal conditions, as well as vision-correcting procedures that reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. A widely published expert in his field, Dr. Kim has contributed extensively to ophthalmic research and innovation.
Highlights
- Cataract surgery replaces a cloudy lens with a clear one to restore vision.
- Most people get one eye done at a time, waiting days or weeks between surgeries.
- It is possible to have both eyes done on the same day.
- Following care instructions helps healing and improves vision results.
In 2021, British Medical Journal research suggested that each year, approximately 3.7 million cataract surgeries are performed in the United States and 20 million worldwide, making it one of the most common and successful procedures for restoring vision.
Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, leading to blurry vision, glare sensitivity, and difficulty with daily tasks. When vision loss begins to interfere with everyday life, surgery may be the best option.
“Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in the United States today,”says Steven Reed, OD, board-certified optometrist and president of the American Optometric Association. “Once a cataract is removed, it cannot grow back.” But if both eyes need treatment, timing becomes a key consideration: How long should you wait between cataract surgery on each eye? And is it ever safe to have both done on the same day?
Ahead, Dr. Reed and Terry Kim, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist, Chief Medical Officer at Alcon and Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University Eye Center, explain the recommended timing between procedures, whether both eyes can be operated on the same day, and expert tips for a smooth recovery.
What happens during cataract surgery?
“Cataract surgery involves removing the eye’s natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one, which requires no special care and can significantly improve vision,” says Dr. Reed. “Some artificial lenses even restore the natural focusing ability of a young, healthy lens.”
Surgeons use one of two techniques to remove cataracts, depending on the condition of the lens:
- The most common method, small-incision cataract surgery, involves making a tiny cut in the cornea—the clear outer layer of the eye—allowing a small probe to be inserted. “The probe emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens so it can be suctioned out,” Dr. Reed explains. This process, known as phacoemulsification, is minimally invasive and typically leads to a faster recovery.
- For cataracts too dense to be broken apart with ultrasound, surgeons turn to extracapsular surgery, which requires a slightly larger incision to remove the lens core in one piece. “The natural lens is replaced by a clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL),” says Dr. Reed. If an IOL cannot be implanted due to other eye conditions, contact lenses or eyeglasses may be used for vision correction.
How long does cataract surgery take?
“The procedure is painless, and it typically takes only 10 to 15 minutes. More complex cases can take up to 30 minutes or more,” says Dr. Reed. Patients remain awake but comfortable during surgery, thanks to numbing eye drops and mild sedation. General anesthesia is rarely needed. Instead, “IV medication is used to reduce anxiety and help patients relax,” explains Dr. Kim.
Recovery and results
After surgery, patients rest in a recovery area while the sedation wears off—usually within 30 minutes to an hour—before heading home the same day. Most experience minimal discomfort.
Dr. Kim notes that within a day or two, vision typically improves by 80% to 90%, and most people can return to their normal activities quickly. Full recovery takes about a month, with follow-up visits ensuring the healing process stays on track.
How long do you need to wait between cataract surgeries?
“The time between cataract surgeries for each eye can vary, depending on factors such as your initial recovery and personal preferences,” says Dr. Reed. In most cases, surgeons wait anywhere from a few days to two weeks before operating on the second eye, though some patients may need to wait a few months.
“Because cataract surgery is a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn back the clock on your vision, many of my patients use this opportunity to correct their vision—reducing or eliminating glasses wear, including for reading—with a presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (PC-IOL),” Dr. Kim says.
Those choosing advanced lenses may have their second surgery sooner, often within one to two weeks, to ensure a smoother visual transition. However, patients with underlying conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration may need more time. “I may wait longer (three to four weeks) between surgeries as a precaution to ensure their eyes have fully healed and their overall health is stable,” Dr. Kim adds.
Factors that might delay your second cataract surgery
Both doctors highlight several factors that could delay a second cataract surgery, including:
- Post-operative complications: Issues such as infection, significant eye pain, or retinal detachment may require additional recovery time before proceeding with surgery on the second eye.
- Adjustment period: Some patients need more time to adapt to the new lens in their first eye. This may include adjustments to their prescription before moving forward with the second procedure.
- Cataract development: In some cases, the cataract in the second eye isn’t developed enough to significantly impact vision. Delaying the surgery allows you to fully adjust to the first eye’s new lens before proceeding.
- Insurance considerations: Coverage limits or policy requirements may influence the timing of the second surgery.
- Surgeon availability: Longer wait times due to scheduling backlogs at a preferred surgeon’s practice can also affect when the procedure takes place.
Why can’t you have cataract surgery in both eyes at once?
If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor will likely recommend surgery on one eye first, followed by the second eye a few days or weeks later. “This allows the eye to heal and for your vision to stabilize before surgery on the second eye,” explains Dr. Reed. “But in some circumstances, both eyes can be treated on the same day.”
Recovering from cataract surgery requires an adjustment period, as the brain and eyes adapt to changes in depth perception and balance. “Operating on both eyes at once could make this transition easier and is sometimes performed for patients with certain health conditions or those traveling long distances for surgery,” says Dr. Kim.
There are advantages to same-day cataract surgery, including fewer follow-up visits, a faster return to normal activities, and quicker recovery of binocular vision—important for tasks like driving. But many surgeons prefer to operate on one eye at a time. “While the risk of infection and serious complications is very low, if both eyes were to experience complications simultaneously, it could result in temporary or even permanent vision loss,” warns Dr. Reed. Staggering the procedures also allows the surgeon and patient to assess the results of the first surgery before proceeding with the second.
Before making a decision, talk to your doctor about all your options. Understanding the benefits and risks of same-day surgery versus having the procedures done separately will help you choose the best approach for your vision and overall health.
What to do after cataract surgery
“After the procedure, it’s important to follow post-op instructions and attend all recommended follow-up visits,” Dr. Reed says. While your eye heals, you may experience temporary side effects such as blurry vision, redness, watery eyes, or sensitivity to light. These typically subside within days or weeks.
To protect your eye, you’ll need to wear a clear shield while sleeping for at least the first few nights—some patients may need to wear it longer. Sunglasses are also important, as cataract surgery can increase light sensitivity during recovery. “Patients should also avoid exposing their eyes to irritants such as dust, dirt, wind, and pollen in the first few weeks,” Dr. Reed advises. Some medical facilities provide protective eyewear for this purpose.
Medication is another key part of the recovery process. “For the first few weeks after surgery, patients will be put on an eye drop regimen containing an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent(s) that they need to adhere to in order to help with healing, prevent infection, and reduce swelling,” explains Dr. Kim. It’s also best to avoid eye makeup and skincare products around the eyes and resist the urge to rub or touch them.
While you can typically resume daily activities like reading, watching TV, and using a computer within a week, certain activities should be avoided. “Patients should not drive without their doctor’s approval—although many receive it less than 24 hours after surgery—and avoid strenuous exercises, especially those that involve lifting heaving objects and bending over,” Dr. Kim concludes.
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