Scuba Diving after Cataract Surgery Recovery

Question: I am a scuba diver and wondering about recovery from cataract surgery. I am 72 years old and participate in multi dive trips 3 to 4 times a year. How long after cataract surgery will I have to wait before I can dive again?

Answer: Recovery from Cataract Surgery is generally pretty quick. Assuming that you are able to have routine Cataract Surgery and an Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) using modern small incision Cataract Surgery and if as one would expect, surgery goes uneventfully without complications, it would be expected that 4-6 weeks after your Cataract operation you should be able to participate in water sports such as scuba diving. Now, while most modern Cataract Surgery is performed as "no-stitch surgery", in your case do not be surprised if your Cataract Surgeon elects to place a single stitch in the incision in order to make it even tighter and lessen any risk of wound leak or separation due to the big pressure gradients you are exposed to both entering and below the surface. This may be a prudent precaution. However, depending on the advice of your Cataract Surgeon this could lengthen the "no dive" time as each person heals slightly differently and your eye surgeon will want to be sure that you are free or risk of eye rubbing and water contaminations as well.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery of Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.