Is cataract surgery painful?

Dr. Krishma Zaver
Is cataract surgery painful?

Wondering, “Is cataract surgery painful?” You’ve come to the right place!

Most patients do not report that their cataract surgery was painful. Precautions are taken before, during and after the surgery to ensure you are comfortable, typically including a mild sedative administered through an IV to relax you for the surgery.

Numbing drops are instilled in order to allow for a comfortable experience during surgery, as well. When the eye is completely numb, the surgeon will then place an eyelid holder onto the surgical eye. This will prevent you from blinking during the procedure.

There are different sizes of eyelid holders, so the correct size is selected by the surgeon in an added effort to minimize discomfort.

Best Cataract Surgeons in America logo for Woolfson Eye Institute in AtlantaFollowing cataract surgery, and possibly for the remainder of the day, you may notice some discomfort in the form of dryness and/or foreign body sensation. Artificial tears can be used to minimize the dry and scratchy sensations.

By the next morning, the day of the 1-day post-operative visit, most patients are relatively comfortable.


If you have further questions about cataract surgery or you’d like to schedule your appointment, call our Woolfson Eye Institute office nearest you (our locations can be found here).


This website provides general information & a list of our services. The information on this website is solely meant to assist you in your search for an eye specialist. You are urged to seek the advice of an eye specialist before undergoing any eye procedure. This site is intended for use only by healthy adult individuals. Any information on this website is not to be used as a substitute to seeking medical advice.