What to Expect Cataract Surgery in New Jersey

From your first consultation to your follow-up care, knowing what to expect at every stage of the cataract surgery journey helps you feel confident, prepared, and ready to see the results.

Watch: What Is Cataract Surgery?

Your Path to Clearer Vision Starts Here

Cataract surgery is one of the most straightforward and rewarding procedures in all of medicine, but for most patients, it is still unfamiliar territory. Understanding what happens before, during, and after surgery removes the uncertainty and allows you to focus on what matters most: your outcome. At Princeton Eye Group, our team is committed to guiding every patient through the process with clear communication, personalized attention, and the kind of thorough pre-operative planning that sets the stage for the best possible results.

Before Surgery

Your Initial Consultation

Your cataract journey begins with a comprehensive eye examination. Your Princeton Eye Group physician will evaluate the density and impact of your cataracts, assess your overall ocular health, and discuss your visual goals and lifestyle to help determine the most appropriate timing and approach for your surgery.

Advanced Pre-Operative Measurements

Precise measurements of your eye are taken using advanced laser and imaging technology to determine the correct power of the intraocular lens that will be placed in your eye. These measurements assess the length of the eye, the curvature of the cornea, and other optical characteristics that inform the lens power calculation. The accuracy of these measurements is fundamental to achieving your target refractive outcome.

Choosing Your Intraocular Lens

One of the most important decisions in the cataract surgery process is the selection of your intraocular lens. Your surgeon will review the full range of available lens options with you, from standard monofocal lenses to premium multifocal, extended depth of focus, light-adjustable, and toric lenses. We’ll help you understand which is best suited to your eyes, your prescription, and your goals. If reducing dependence on glasses is a priority, this conversation is where that plan is made.

Preparing for Surgery

You will receive specific pre-operative instructions from our team, including guidance on which medications to continue or pause before surgery, whether to skip breakfast on the day of your procedure, and what to arrange for your ride home. Be sure to inform your physician of all medications you are currently taking, including blood thinners, diabetes or GLP-1 medications, or Flomax (tamsulosin), as these may need to be adjusted prior to surgery.

The Day of Surgery

Arrival and Preparation

Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis at the Surgery Center of Central New Jersey, a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center managed by Wills Eye Hospital in North Brunswick. Upon arrival, you will receive dilating and anesthetic eye drops, and an IV will be placed for the administration of medications to help you relax during the procedure by an anesthesiologist. The area around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed, and sterile draping will be placed around your eye.

The Procedure

Cataract surgery typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, and most patients feel little to no discomfort. Under an operating microscope, a small, self-sealing incision is made in the eye. Ultrasound energy is used to dissolve and remove the clouded lens. The posterior capsule—the back membrane of the lens—is left in place to support the new intraocular lens. The IOL is then folded and inserted through the same small incision, where it unfolds and is positioned within the eye.

In most cases, no sutures are required. You will be awake but relaxed during the procedure. You may see bright lights, colors, or movement, but you will not see the instruments or need to worry about keeping your eyes open or closed. Our anesthesia, surgical, and nursing team will be by your side throughout the process to ensure that you are completely comfortable and safe.

After the Procedure

Following a brief stay in the recovery area, you will be ready to go home. A protective shield will be placed over your eye, and you will receive instructions on the eye drops and care routine to begin that evening. You will need a driver to return home—please arrange this in advance, as you will not be able to drive yourself. If finding a driver is not possible, please ask our surgical coordinators about medical driving services that we recommend in the area.

Schedule a Consultation

Post-Surgery

The First Day

Most patients notice a meaningful improvement in vision within 24 hours of surgery, though some initial blurring, mild redness, and light sensitivity are normal and resolve quickly. You will have a follow-up appointment scheduled for the day after surgery to assess the early healing of your eye.

Your Recovery Routine

A short course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops will be prescribed to support healing and prevent infection. You will need to:

Use eye drops exactly as prescribed
Avoid rubbing or pressing on the eye
Avoid swimming and submerging the eye in water until cleared by your physician
Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting during the early recovery period
Wear a protective shield over the eye at night as directed
Ask your physician before resuming driving

What to Watch For

Contact Princeton Eye Group immediately if you experience significant pain not relieved by over-the-counter medication, a sudden decrease in vision, increasing redness, nausea or vomiting, or any injury to the eye following surgery. While serious complications are rare, prompt attention to any concerning symptoms is always advisable.

Follow-Up Care

Your physician will schedule a series of follow-up appointments to monitor healing, assess your visual outcome, and address any questions or concerns. Once both eyes have been treated and healing is complete, a final glasses prescription can be written if needed.

When Will I See My Results?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how quickly vision improves following cataract surgery. Significant improvement is typically noticeable within the first day or two, with continued refinement of clarity over the following weeks as the eye fully heals and adjusts to the new lens. The timeline for final visual stabilization depends in part on the type of lens implanted and each patient's individual healing process. Your physician will keep you informed of what to expect at each stage of your recovery.

Cataract Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be awake during cataract surgery?

Yes. Cataract surgery is performed under local and conscious sedation anesthesia so that you will be awake but comfortable throughout the procedure. You will not see the surgery taking place, and you will not feel pain.

How soon can I drive after cataract surgery?

Most patients are able to resume driving within a day or two of surgery, once vision has stabilized sufficiently and your physician has confirmed it is safe to do so. You will not be able to drive on the day of surgery itself.

Can I watch TV or use my phone after cataract surgery?

Yes. Light activities such as watching television and using a phone or tablet are generally permitted the day after surgery. Avoid anything that causes significant eye strain or requires prolonged concentration in the very early post-operative period, and follow your physician's specific guidance.

How long do I need to use eye drops after surgery?

Most patients use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for several weeks following surgery, though the specific duration and regimen will be tailored to your individual healing progress. Your physician will provide a clear schedule and instructions.

What if my vision is not as clear as expected after surgery?

Some fluctuation in vision is normal during the early healing period. If your vision is not meeting expectations after the eye has fully healed, your physician will assess the cause and discuss options, which may include glasses, laser vision correction, or, in the case of a light-adjustable lens, a post-operative power adjustment.

Is it normal to see glare or halos after cataract surgery?

Some patients, particularly those with premium multifocal lenses, notice glare or halos around lights in the early post-operative period. These symptoms are typically most noticeable at night and tend to diminish over time as the brain adapts to the new lens. Your physician will discuss the likelihood of these visual phenomena based on the specific lens selected.

What if I have cataracts in both eyes?

If cataracts are present in both eyes, surgery on the second eye is typically scheduled a few weeks after the first, once the initial eye has healed and the refractive outcome has been assessed. This approach allows the lens power for the second eye to be refined based on the results achieved in the first.