My mother had laser cataract surgery in the early 1970s, when it was brand new. Shortly after returning from the hospital she started seeing flashes of light. She contacted her surgeon, but he was unconcerned.
The flashes continued for a few more days. She saw another eye doctor who immediately operated to reattach her retina. The recovery time was 6 weeks during which she was not supposed to read, stand or brush her haor or teeth. She did some of those things and the retina redetached. She underwent another operation and another six weeks of recovery and ultimately lost the vision in that eye.
Compared to her experience, mine was a walk in the park. You see why she had been preparing me for my retinal problems since thatnday.