Diving after cataract/glaucoma surgery

[saildiver]

April 7 I am having cataract and possibly glaucoma surgery in one eye. Does anyone know how long it might realistically be til I can dive again?

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Saildiver,

The type of cataract procedure and whether or not glaucoma surgery is also done, and the subsequent course of healing, essentially dictates return to SCUBA decisions.

DAN indicates the suggested waiting time prior to resuming diving depends on exactly what type of procedure was performed and suggests the diver ask his surgeon for recommendations based on this.

If all one undergoes is an uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens, diving could be possible after a couple of weeks if all proceeds well. On the other hand, in the unlikely event that surgical incision and suture is involved in the cataract removal/lens replacement, it's probable that SCUBA will out for 4-6 weeks, possibly longer.

If glaucoma filtering surgery is done, a post-op wait of about 8 weeks could be anticipated.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[diver 85]

Hi Saildiver,

The type of cataract procedure and whether or not glaucoma surgery is also done, and the subsequent course of healing, essentially dictates return to SCUBA decisions.

DAN indicates the suggested waiting time prior to resuming diving depends on exactly what type of procedure was performed and suggests the diver ask his surgeon for recommendations based on this.

If all one undergoes is an uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens, diving could be possible after a couple of weeks if all proceeds well. On the other hand, in the unlikely event that surgical incision and suture is involved in the cataract removal/lens replacement, it's probable that SCUBA will out for 4-6 weeks, possibly longer.

If glaucoma filtering surgery is done, a post-op wait of about 8 weeks could be anticipated.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

technically, 6-8 days PO can resume diving following IOL surgery(as soon as the K incision heals)---but, who wants to push it.....