Bit, little to do with surgery, lots to do with me being lazy. While recovering in the days following surgery, it is normal to experience mild swelling or inflammation of the cornea which can result in hazy, wavy, or distorted vision. When Can You Drive After Conventional Or Laser Cataract Surgery - Vision Eye Institute After cataract surgery, your eyes will usually heal enough in the first 24 hours so you are able to drive. How soon can you drive after cataract op . Cataract surgery has a high success rate in improving your eyesight and should allow you to return to your normal activities, like driving. Although you will have improved vision after the surgery, the minimal time to avoid driving is at least 48 hours. When i had my first cataract surgery in december i was told not to drive a car until i'd had my 7 day checkup, but another patient i met later who'd had identical surgery at the same hospital wasn't told this, only to not lift anything heavy or bend over f...