You can resume washing your face the day after your surgery while being careful to not touch your eye. It is recommended that you do not splash water directly on your face, rather use a washcloth to carefully clean your face.
Keep water, soap, shampoo, hair spray, and shaving lotion out of your eye, especially for the first week. Do not rub or put pressure on your eye for at least 1 week. Do not wear eye makeup for 1 to 2 weeks. You may also want to avoid face cream or lotion.
Do not allow water to flow directly at or into your eyes for 5 days after surgery. Do not use makeup, moisturizer, perfume or cologne for 5 days after surgery.
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.
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.
You should continue to wear sunglasses for at least a few weeks after your surgery. This will help to protect your eyes as they heal. After a few weeks, you can start to wear them less often. However, you should still put them on whenever you are going to be in the sun for an extended period of time.
Don't get irritants in your eye
This is particularly helpful when outside in the first few days after your procedure. 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.
We use the same pads to clean your eyes before surgery. Some brands of these are: Ocusoft Lid Scrub, and Systane Lid Wipes. So, I allow my patients to use make-up carefully and safely right after cataract surgery.
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.
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, 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.
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.
We advise patients not to wear any mascara, eye makeup, under-eye concealer or eye creams for at least one week after cataract surgery. It's also important to avoid using make-up applicators like brushes and sponges near your eyes, as they can contain harmful bacteria.
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.
Yes, after cataract surgery, you need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. After surgery, your eyes are healing and are more sensitive to the sun's rays than usual. Anytime you go outside, you need to wear sunglasses. Whether it's raining or sunny, the sun is giving off damaging UV rays.
We advise all of our patients to avoid cooking for at least one week after cataract surgery. After surgery, your eyes will need time to heal. They might be more sensitive than normal, so it's important to avoid any activities that may cause them any stress.
Things to avoid
There are several things people should avoid after eye surgery. Avoid bending over for the first 48 hours after the surgery, as this can cause pressure to build up in the eyes and interfere with healing.
Strenuous activity and exercise after cataract surgery
Most people can do very light exercise the day after surgery, including walking. For activities like biking, running, tennis, golf and sex, wait one week after your procedure.
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.
After your surgery, you may: Bend, stoop over, walk up and down stairs and lift light objects (less than 20-25 pounds). Watch TV, read, sew or do close work as usual. Ride in the car, go to church, dine out.
When can I eat after surgery? Eat a light snack or meal when you go home. You can then follow your usual diet. You cannot drink beer, wine or alcohol for 24 hours.
Many eye surgeons advise patients to avoid alcohol for the first week after eye surgery to ensure the eyes can maintain adequate lubrication.
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!