Cataract Surgery in Both Eyes: How Far Apart?

When both eyes have cataracts, surgery is often planned one eye at a time. The timing of the second eye depends on the surgical practice, your recovery, eye health, and your visual needs.

Why operate on one eye first?

Operating on one eye first allows the surgeon to evaluate healing and the refractive result before proceeding with the second eye.

How long should you wait?

There is no single schedule that applies to every patient. Some practices perform second-eye surgery relatively soon, while others wait longer. Your surgeon can recommend timing based on your circumstances.

What happens between surgeries?

Some patients notice an imbalance between the operated and unoperated eyes if their prescriptions differ substantially. Your surgeon can discuss whether this is likely to affect you.

Learn how to decide when surgery is appropriate →