But I will and I found some other stuff.
Most cataract operations use a single small incision. It is made at an oblique angle to the eyeball, so there is lots of tissue overlap. In many cases it's a small enough incision so as not to require a suture. The key question you need to ask your doctor is how long it will take to heal? You will get a ball park estimate initially, then confirmation from post-op follow up.
Intra ocular lens implants (IOL) are usually made of soft plastics like silicone. Most modern IOL's are rolled up, then spring open after being inserted through the small surgical wound. Your eye is basically a fluid filled structure, so there are no compression issues. In cataract surgery, no air or surgical gases are introduced. This means there are no bubbles which could be compressed underwater.
I searched "cataract surgery":
A clinical person named Lloyd suggested 6-8 weeks post op for proper healing. I would consider this your ballpark estimate.
I also found the following from DocVikingo. Unfortunately he doesn't address cataract surgery specifically.
"Diving After Eye Surgery
Individuals who have undergone ophthalmic surgical procedures should allow an appropriate period for wound healing before resuming diving.
Factors increasing the risk of post-operative complications:
Marine bacteria may cause infections when they contaminate non-epithelialized wound surfaces of the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or lid tissues
These pathogens may enter the eye through unhealed corneal or scleral wounds and result in vision-threatening endophthalmitis; gas in the anterior chamber or vitreous cavity may be affected by changes in pressure and result in vision-threatening intraocular barotrauma
Negative pressure in the air space of a face mask caused by a mask squeeze may result in subconjunctival hemorrhage, lid ecchymosis and edema, and could theoretically cause the rupture ofincompletely healed corneal or scleral wounds.
The risk of infection due to contact of the eye with water is much greater when diving in potentially contaminated ocean, river, or lake water than when showering or bathing in chlorinated city water.
In chamber dives, only gas in the eye remains a consideration.
There are no controlled studies specifically addressing the requisite length of convalescence before a return to diving. The recommendations below are based on the application of wound healing observations in other studies and on clinical experience.
A. Corneal surgery
Full thickness incisions
Very little healing is noted in the first week, followed by a rapid rise to about 30% of normal strength at 1 month.
Wound strength then gradually increases to approximately 50% of normal by 3 to 6 months.
Penetrating keratoplasty in which full-thickness incisions are made in the cornea should be followed by a six month convalescent period.
Radial and astigmatic keratotomy, which do not entail full-thickness corneal incisions or prolonged topical steroid therapy, may be allowed to dive after three months.
The possibility of barotrauma-induced rupture of a corneal wound is a theoretical possibility after any of the above procedures, but would occur only in the setting of an uncommonly encountered face mask squeeze."
Best of luck.
DocVikingo
