{"id":1980,"date":"2026-10-20T08:54:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-health\/lens-and-cataract\/how-long-does-cataract-surgery-take\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:59:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:59:36","slug":"how-long-does-cataract-surgery-take","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-health\/lens-and-cataract\/how-long-does-cataract-surgery-take\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does cataract surgery take?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Lens & cataract guides<\/a><\/li>
  4. How long does cataract surgery take?<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    How Long Does Cataract Surgery Take? The Operation, the Day and Recovery<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \"Eye<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Cataract surgery usually takes 20 to 45 minutes per eye, according to the NHS, and most people go home the same day. Expect about 15 to 30 minutes in a recovery area afterwards. Vision often improves within days, drops continue for about 4 weeks, and the eye can take about 3 months to settle fully. At Laser Istanbul Clinic, the surgeons are Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131, Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer and Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

    Cataract surgery: how long does it take?<\/h2><\/div>

    The operation itself usually takes between 20 and 45 minutes per eye.<\/strong> That is the figure given by the NHS, and it is a range for a reason: every eye is different, and your surgeon can tell you where you are likely to fall once they have examined you. {{surgeons’ typical operating time per eye}}<\/span><\/p>\n

    The short time reflects how the operation works. Cataract surgery is the only way to remove a cataract, and the standard method, phacoemulsification (“phaco”), is done through a tiny opening at the front of the eye. The NHS and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) describe the same sequence of steps:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Drops dilate (widen) your pupil, and the eye is cleaned and covered with a sterile sheet.<\/li>\n
    2. The surgeon makes a small opening in the cornea and a round opening in the capsule that holds your lens.<\/li>\n
    3. An ultrasound probe breaks up the cloudy lens and the pieces are suctioned out.<\/li>\n
    4. A clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), is placed in the capsule.<\/li>\n
    5. The incision is self-sealing and usually does not need stitches.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      You stay awake. The NHS says the anaesthetic is usually local, given as eye drops, an injection or both, so you may see light and movement but the operation should not hurt.<\/p>\n

      The AAO calls cataract surgery one of the most common operations in the world. In England alone, about 681,400 publicly funded cataract operations were carried out between April 2023 and March 2024, according to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. It is a routine, well-rehearsed procedure, which is why it fits into such a short slot in the day.<\/p>\n

      Does laser-assisted cataract surgery take less time?<\/h3>\n

      No. Some clinics offer femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, in which a laser performs some of the steps. A Cochrane review of 16 randomised trials found little evidence of any difference in operating time (a mean difference of 0.1 minutes, based on 274 eyes) and concluded that the two methods may need the same amount of theatre time. The AAO adds that laser-assisted surgery has not been shown to bring fewer complications or better outcomes. Choose your method on your surgeon’s advice for your eye, not to save minutes.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

      \n\t\t

      How long will you be at the clinic on the day of surgery?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

      Plan on a few hours door to door, but the operation is only a small part of that.<\/strong> The NHS says most people can go home on the same day, and the AAO says you rest in a recovery area for about 15 to 30 minutes before you leave. The rest of the time goes on checking in, going through your details, having drops put in to widen the pupil, and waiting your turn. {{time to allow at the operating theatre on the day, from arrival to leaving}}<\/span><\/p>\n

      Here is how a typical cataract day breaks down:<\/p>

      Stage<\/th>What happens<\/th>How long<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
      Before the operation<\/th>Check-in, final checks, dilating drops, anaesthetic<\/td>{{time to allow before the operation}}<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
      The operation<\/th>Phacoemulsification and lens implant<\/td>20\u201345 minutes per eye (NHS)<\/td><\/tr>
      Recovery area<\/th>You rest, then the team explains your drops and aftercare<\/td>About 15\u201330 minutes (AAO)<\/td><\/tr>
      Going home<\/th>Same day; someone else takes you home<\/td>NHS: do not drive yourself home<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      Two practical points from the NHS. First, if you wear contact lenses, you may need to leave them out for a few days before cataract surgery, and your surgeon confirms how long. Second, bring a list of all your medicines, blood thinners in particular, so the team can plan around them.<\/p><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

      \n\t\t

      How long does it take to see clearly after cataract surgery?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

      Many people notice better vision within a few days, though the timing varies.<\/strong> The NHS says your vision may be blurry for a few hours after the operation, mainly because of the dilating drops, and that it may take several days to improve. The AAO says some people see clearly almost straight away, while others find their vision clears within a week or two.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

      When<\/th>What to expect<\/th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
      First few hours<\/th>Blurry vision from the dilating drops; the eye may be covered with a dressing<\/td>NHS<\/td><\/tr>
      First few days<\/th>The eye may ache or feel gritty; vision improves over several days; you may feel more tired than usual<\/td>NHS<\/td><\/tr>
      1\u20132 weeks<\/th>Some people see clearly almost at once; others within a week or two<\/td>AAO<\/td><\/tr>
      About 4 weeks<\/th>You usually take the prescribed eye drops for about 4 weeks<\/td>NHS<\/td><\/tr>
      4\u20136 weeks<\/th>One AAO guide describes full healing as taking about 4\u20136 weeks<\/td>AAO<\/td><\/tr>
      About 3 months<\/th>Another AAO guide says it takes about 3 months to recover fully<\/td>AAO<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      The two AAO guides give different healing times (4\u20136 weeks in one, about 3 months in the other). In plain terms: the eye is healing well within weeks, and the last small changes in vision and in your glasses prescription can take around three months. Your surgeon sets your own timetable.<\/p>

      How good will your vision be?<\/strong> In the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ National Cataract Audit (2025), covering 550,519 NHS operations in the year to March 2024, 93.0% of eyes reached 6\/12 or better, the standard needed to drive. The median result was about 6\/6, which is normal vision. These are NHS-wide figures, not our results, and eyes with other eye disease do less well: 86.6% reached 6\/12 or better, compared with 96.4% of eyes with no other eye disease.<\/p>\n

      Your glasses prescription often changes after surgery, so you may need new glasses once the eye has settled. Our guide on using your old glasses after cataract surgery<\/a> explains what to do while you wait. If your vision seems to go up and down in the first weeks, read about fluctuating vision after cataract surgery<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

      \n\t

      When can you drive, fly and get back to normal activities?<\/h2><\/div>

      You can return to everyday life quickly, but some limits apply while the eye heals.<\/strong> The NHS says not to drive until your vision is back to normal, and not to do any heavy lifting, play sports, wear eye make-up, get water in the eye or swim (even with goggles) while it heals. Your surgeon gives you the exact dates.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t