SHREVEPORT, La. – Cataract surgery remains one of the most common eye procedures in the United States, with over 4 million operations performed annually. As the baby‑boomer generation ages, Shreveport residents can expect the number of local surgeries to rise.

Typical recovery and dry‑eye complaints

For most patients, the operation restores clear vision without lasting problems. However, Dr. Wyche Coleman III of The Cataract Surgeons notes that many people notice temporary dryness and irritation in the weeks following surgery.

“When you go in and you irritate the eye, tear production goes down,” Coleman explained. “You get some dry symptoms, some symptoms of dryness where the eye feels scratchy.” He added that the irritation is often linked to the anti‑inflammatory eye drops prescribed after the procedure.

“One of the drops we use, which is a nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory agent, is irritating to the surface of the eye,” Coleman said. “Those symptoms usually improve after patients stop using that medication, often around one month after surgery.”

Older patients may experience more swelling

Age can also affect recovery. Dr. Christopher Shelby, also with The Cataract Surgeons, cautions that patients with denser cataracts—particularly those in their 70s, 80s, and 90s—may see a bit more postoperative swelling.

“People who have denser cataracts and somebody who’s in their seventies, eighties, especially nineties, you know, their lens is a lot older, it’s been there for a while,” Shelby said. “And so it’s going to have a lot more density to it.” He explained that removing a denser lens requires slightly more energy, which can cause additional swelling that typically lasts a few days.

When to seek further evaluation

Both doctors agree that most side effects are short‑lived and improve with time. Nevertheless, patients who notice persistent or unusual symptoms—such as prolonged vision loss, increasing eye pressure, or worsening pain—should contact their eye doctor promptly for evaluation.

“If you experience anything that feels out of the ordinary, don’t wait,” Coleman advised. “Early assessment can prevent a minor issue from becoming a bigger problem.”

Additional resources

For a deeper dive into what to expect before and after cataract surgery, Shreveport viewers can watch the KTBS 3 podcast “From The Dr.’s Desk with the Cataract Surgeons,” which features both Dr. Coleman and Dr. Shelby discussing recovery tips and answering common patient questions.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.