Go home, take it easy and use common sense. Resume most of your usual activities – walking, watching TV, reading and going out to dinner are fine. Please wear either glasses or the protective shield at all times.
Most people are able to return to work or their normal routine in 1 to 3 days. After your eye heals, you may still need to wear glasses, especially for reading.
Immediately after cataract surgery
You will need to have a family member or friend with you to take you home. Once you get home, it is recommended that you rest your eyes and nap. Several hours post-surgery, most people are able to watch some television or look at a computer screen for a short period of time.
During early recovery, patients will be able to see, but not in clear, but rather, soft vision. Within 48 hours, many cataracts patients see significant improvement in their vision. It is possible that your vision could take one to two weeks to adjust and settle.
While each person heals differently, many patients report drastically better vision within the first 24 hours of the procedure. Plan on taking one to three days off of work to be sure you have enough time to rest, but it is normal to resume most normal activities within a couple of days.
These chores may include laundry, cleaning, yard work, etc. Any physical activity has the potential to strain and irritate your eyes, especially heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise. These activities can increase pressure in the eye, so it's best to avoid them.
Washing Your Face and Hygiene after Cataract Surgery
You can resume activities such as washing your face the day after surgery, as long as you are careful to not touch the eye. You shouldn't splash water directly on your face and instead, use a washcloth to carefully clean.
After cataract surgery, a person should focus on eating a nutritious diet that promotes healing. Foods to avoid include refined carbohydrates, sugar, salt, and processed foods. People should also avoid tobacco and alcohol, which can slow healing and increase inflammation.
After cataract surgery, you'll feel tired and want to rest for the remainder of the day. And if you still feel tired the next day, don't fight the temptation to get more sleep. Go with it. Sleeping a lot is how your body heals itself.
It's normal to feel itching and mild discomfort for a couple of days after surgery. Avoid rubbing or pushing on your eye. Your doctor may ask you to wear an eye patch or protective shield the day of surgery.
You should wear sunglasses after cataract surgery. Make sure the sunglasses you are wearing help to provide you with adequate protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. We recommend choosing a pair of sunglasses that are 100% UV protected.
Water is one of the best things you can put into your body, especially while it's healing. After cataract surgery, your eyes may need a few days to get used to their new normal. They may even feel a little drier than you're used to. This is another way that drinking enough water is incredibly beneficial!
Many eye surgeons advise patients to avoid alcohol for the first week after eye surgery to ensure the eyes can maintain adequate lubrication.
However, optometrists advise that you avoid alcohol for 1 week after your surgery if possible. This is to ensure that your body's healing process can take full effect and to avoid dehydrating your eyes. Alcohol could also interfere with any drops or medications you are given to use for the first week after surgery.
It's fine for you to read and watch television after cataract surgery, although your vision may be a little blurred for the first few days.
You may brush your teeth. Dentures, Glasses, Hearing Aids, Etc. It is O.K. to wear dentures and hearing aids. You will need to remove your glasses during surgery.
Water Directly in the Eye
Wait at least a day before taking a shower or washing the face. Be sure to avoid swimming pools or hot tubs for at least a few weeks per the surgeon's digression.
BATHING A bath or shower should be taken with antibacterial soap the evening before or the morning of surgery. You should wash your hair. No facial makeup should be worn the day of surgery. Body lotions and creams should be avoided as well.
You will not harm your eyes by wearing your old glasses. However, you may prefer not wearing them since, in most cases, your vision will have improved after surgery, in particular your distance vision.
Don't: Eat or Drink Right Before the Surgery
While under sedation, there is a chance of stomach acid going into your lungs, which can cause damage. You will need to fast for about 12 hours before surgery to ensure you are safe from this effect.
It is very common to have blurry or unclear vision in the days and sometimes even weeks after cataract removal. Most of the time, this is caused by normal swelling in the eye which occurs as a part of surgery. Patients with larger, denser and/or firmer cataracts are more likely to experience more inflammation.
Please wear sunglasses or your normal glasses during the day, to help protect your eye. Please wear the eye shield you have been given at night for the next 5 nights. You can secure it with medical tape or sellotape. When washing your face, avoid your eye area.
You could even cause your cataracts to return as UV rays are one of the leading causes of cataracts. That's why doctors recommend you wearing sunglasses outside for the first year after your surgery.