Do you value the independence that driving gives you? Do you rely heavily on your car to get around? Are you the main driver in your family? Is driving part of your job?

If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts and you’re awaiting surgery then you’ve probably been relying on public transport or family and friends to take you places. Worse still, you may have become housebound or unable to work.

You’re itching to get driving again so just how long do you need to wait to get back on the road after cataract surgery?

Answer: it depends*

*apologies for the indefinite answer; here’s all the information you need to make an informed decision.

When cataract symptoms occur driving is one of the first things to be affected and one of the first things that you should stop doing for your safety and the safety of others. This is especially the case at night time when you may find that bright lights are dazzling and uncomfortable to look at.

Cataract surgery is a quick and painless outpatient procedure so you’ll usually go home on the same day. However, this doesn’t mean that you can drive straight away; there are standards that must be adhered to and one of these is that you’re met by a friend or relative (not a taxi) who can stay with you to make sure that you’re okay. All being well, you should be able to resume everyday activities within 24 hours, but this does not include driving. The minimum for getting back behind the wheel is 24 hours after your surgery is completed and then … it all depends.

In order to drive, you must meet the DVLA vision standard for driving (see link below) and feel comfortable and confident; if your eyes are sensitive to light, or uncomfortable for a few days after surgery, you shouldn’t be driving yet.

Everyone reacts differently to cataract surgery and your doctor may give you the all clear or advise you to avoid driving for a longer period of time.

Following cataract surgery, you may experience some common side effects like grittiness, watering, blurred vision, double vision and a red or bloodshot eye. While these can improve within a few days, it can take four to six weeks to recover fully and, of course, that means driving will have to wait.

Also, if you require new glasses or contact lenses you’ll not be able to order them until your eye has completely healed and you may need them to be able to pass the DVLA standards listed below. In most cases, it’s advisable that you wait four weeks so your eye is fully recovered before having an eye test to get new glasses.

What if I need cataract surgery on both eyes?

If you’re having cataract surgery on both eyes you’ll find that there is a wait between the procedures. It’ll depend upon the severity of the remaining cataract as to whether or not you’ll be advised that it’s safe to drive. Make sure that you ask for advice from your optician or specialist before doing so.

The DVLA

You (and anyone else) are only deemed safe to drive when the DVLA’s visual standards for driving(1) are successfully met. If you can satisfy these standards, and your doctor has signed you off, that will undoubtedly be a weight off your mind and you're all good to go.

Please rest assured that the risk of serious complications developing after cataract surgery is very low; most patients experience little to no side effects and life returns to normal very quickly.

We’re here to help. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch so that we can advise and alleviate any concerns that you may have.