written or reviewed by
L. Dean Flanders, M.D.

Why Cataract Surgery Is Done One Eye at a Time

Cataracts, the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, is a common eye condition that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly as they age. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure to restore clear vision. But you might be wondering, why is cataract surgery typically performed on one eye at a time, rather than both at once? 

There are a few main reason cataract surgeries are done one eye at a time:

• Risk of Infection: While cataract surgery is highly safe, there’s a small chance of infection following cataract surgery. By treating one eye at a time, ophthalmologists can mitigate the risk of infection spreading to the other eye. Staggering the surgeries minimizes potential complications and ensure a smoother recovery process.
• Maintaining Functional Sight: After cataract surgery, patients often experience blurry eyesight and a period of visual adjustment as their eyes adapt to the intraocular lens (IOL) implant. Treating one eye at a time allows patients to maintain functional vision with the untreated eye while the operated eye heals and adapts. Having one eye with good vision ensures continuity in daily activities and reduces the impact on overall quality of life during the recovery phase.
• Comparative Assessment: Addressing cataracts sequentially enables ophthalmologists to evaluate the outcomes of each surgery independently. This comparative assessment helps surgeons in optimize visual outcomes and tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs.

How long between cataract surgeries on each eye?

The wait time between surgeries will vary depending on your individual healing process. Typically, it is recommended to wait 1-2 weeks between cataract surgeries to allow your first eye to fully recover before proceeding with the second.

Schedule a consultation

If you live in the Washington DC area, and cataracts are impacting your daily life, schedule a consultation with the cataract specialists at Washington Eye Physicians & Surgeons. Our fellowship-trained surgeons can assess your individual situation, answer your questions about cataract surgery and determine the best treatment options to restore your clear vision.