You can read or watch TV right away, but things may look blurry. 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.
Several hours following the surgery, most patients are able to watch some television or look at a computer screen for a short period of time. It's important however that you don't over-exert your eyes during the first 24 hours post-surgery. You can expect to return to most normal activities during the first week.
Wear sunglasses outdoors for one week after surgery. It is optional to wear them indoors.
You can resume activities like watching TV or shopping after 2-3 days of surgery. You may resume all your routine household activities after a week. Do instill eye drops regularly, as advised by your eye doctor.
What Happens if You Bend Over After Cataract Surgery? You should not bend over after cataract surgery for at least 2 weeks. Bending over will place pressure on the eye and this may cause unnecessary complications to your eye. The main complication will be a delay in the healing process.
Strenuous activity and exercise after cataract surgery
For activities like biking, running, tennis, golf and sex, wait one week after your procedure. If you are a swimmer, doctors advise you to wait two weeks before going in the water to minimize your risk of infection and irritation.
After cataract surgery, even if you do not need to wear glasses all the time, your doctor recommends a pair of high quality prescription sunglasses for outside use and driving purposes. This is the only time that Medicare will help pay for your glasses.
Some change to your current glasses prescription is usually needed after the surgery, whatever lens is chosen. If you have never needed to use prescription glasses in the past, you will need to start using them after your cataract operation.
Because of contaminants, no water should come in direct contact with the surgical eye until the wound has healed. 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.
Patients with a dislocated IOL may experience a decrease or change in vision, diplopia, and/or glare. Additionally, they may report ocular pain or headaches from intermittent angle-closure and/or inflammation. Some patients also report seeing the edge of the IOL.
After cataract surgery, your doctor will tell you to wear UV-protecting sunglasses for at least one year, even though your intraocular lens has a special UV coating too.
TV Glasses
Ask your optician's advice if you have prescription lenses – they may recommend wearing your glasses for watching television, especially if you wear your glasses for distance tasks. An antireflection coating may also improve visual comfort and reduce eye strain.
In studies, between 60% and 88% of patients who have cataract surgery with a MultiFocal lens report that they never wear glasses. For cataract patients who value their ability to see clearly at a range of distances without glasses, a MultiFocal IOL can be a great option.
Polarized lenses – Shop for cataract surgery sunglasses with polarized lenses, which reduce glare and are especially good for driving, says Dr. Khan. “They're going to give you a crisper image, and that comes in handy any time clarity of vision is important,” she says.
Inflammation in the eye can happen after cataract surgery, but it is typically harmless. Any inflammation within the eye following cataract surgery is the body's natural response to having the eye's lens removed. This reaction causes blurry vision, but your eye doctor can prescribe medication to help.
Answer: Typically, if you can see great at distance without any glasses, then over-the-counter reading glasses (i.e., the ones that you can buy at nearly any pharmacy or store) will be sufficient.
It's usually considered safe to wash your hair and shower/bathe as normal after you have cataract surgery. However, you should keep your eyes closed and avoid getting any water or shampoo in your eye, and it's advisable to use a mild or baby shampoo. You should also avoid rubbing your eye.
For the first few days after your surgery, it's normal to have blurred or double vision and watery/gritty eyes. Your eyes may also look red or bloodshot. These side effects will normally subside within a few days, but it can take four-six weeks for your eye to fully heal.
You will also have to wear a clear shield at night for two weeks after surgery to stop you rubbing your eye or inadvertently touching the pillow while you are asleep. You are not meant to do heavy exercise or heavy carrying of bags or shopping or to strain and lean down.
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.
How long before you can sleep on your side after cataract surgery? People should try to avoid sleeping on the same side of the operated eye for 1 week. However, if they wear a protective shield securely overnight, their eye should have enough protection, even if they unintentionally end up sleeping on that side.
do not do any strenuous exercise or housework. do not wear eye make-up for at least 4 weeks.