how long does cataract surgery take

Cataract surgery typically takes 15 to 30 minutes per eye to complete, with some sources specifying around 15-20 minutes for the actual surgical procedure. However, the total time spent at the surgical facility, including pre-operative preparation and post-operative monitoring, usually ranges from 2 to 4 hours. This includes administering anesthesia, preparation, the surgery itself, and recovery observation afterward. Most patients do not require an overnight stay and can leave the hospital the same day. If surgery is needed on both eyes, surgeries are usually done separately, about 2 to 4 weeks apart, to allow for recovery of the first eye.