How Do You Wash Your Face After Cataract Surgery? Your surgery should not come at the expense of your hygiene, however you should avoid exposing your eye to direct water contact for at least a week. You can resume washing your face the day after your surgery while being careful to not touch your eye.
The eye that you had surgery on will be very sensitive. Rubbing your eye could damage the fragile flap created during the procedure. Damaging this flap could lead to complications or other problems.
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.
As a general rule, you should completely avoid rubbing the eyes for the first two weeks post-op. After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK or not.
Additionally, try not to do any housework or cooking after cataract surgery for the first two weeks. If you cannot avoid this, wear your eye shield to reduce the risk of irritation and infection.
You may be up and about, bend over to pick up objects or put on shoes. Using reasonable care, you may bathe or shower, wash hair, shave, brush teeth, read, write, watch TV, ride in care, climb stairs or go for a walk. Driving is permitted, following your first post-op visit, if the other eye sees well enough.
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.
Exposure to water can put your eyes at risk of infection or irritation until your eye has healed from surgery. “Give yourself at least one night of sleep before showering, and prevent the stream of water from hitting your eyes directly,” says Eghrari.
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.
While home, you may be allowed to remove your eye shield, but you should wear it when sleeping for at least a week to prevent eye injury. Full recovery from cataract surgery should be complete in about a month, although it can take up to three months for your eye to be completely healed.
take it easy for the first 2 to 3 days. use your eye shield at night for at least a week.
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.
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.
Washing Your Face and Hygiene after Cataract Surgery
You shouldn't splash water directly on your face and instead, use a washcloth to carefully clean. The surgery incisions should heal within just a few days, but you should still be careful about not getting water in the eye during this recovery period.
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.
Cosmetics shouldn't be worn on the eyes for at least the first week of the healing process. You should also avoid applying moisturizing creams or gels to the eyes or getting water in your eyes when showering or washing your hair.
No solid food for 6 hours prior to your surgery. No thick liquids after midnight (Milk, cream, orange juice, prune juice.) Up to 2 hours before surgery, we encourage you to drink clear liquids (coffee, tea, apple juice, water, soft drinks or meat broth.) Sugar in your coffee and tea is okay, but no milk products.
You will likely notice that you feel exhausted, especially once you get home after having cataract surgery. This is perfectly normal and you shouldn't try to fight it. Sleeping is a vital part of the healing process, but you will need to be careful.
Usually, before having a general anaesthetic, you will not be allowed anything to eat or drink. This is because when the anaesthetic is used, your body's reflexes are temporarily stopped. If your stomach has food and drink in it, there's a risk of vomiting or bringing up food into your throat.
You should try to avoid sleeping on your side while you're recovering from surgery. After your cataract surgery, you'll be provided with an eye shield to protect your eye from dust, grime and anything else that could irritate your eye or cause infection.
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.
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.