Immediately after your cataract surgery, it's a good idea to just put your feet up and rest for the following few days. Try to avoid any heavy lifting, whether weights at the gym or shopping bags. It's advisable even to leave the housework, such as mopping and vacuuming until you're feeling well again.
“High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”
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. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.
do not drive until you get the all-clear from your doctor. do not do any strenuous exercise or housework. do not wear eye make-up for at least 4 weeks. do not fly without seeking advice from your doctor.
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.
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.
Cataract surgery has a fast recovery rate with only a few restrictions to contend with. With the day of surgery excepted, no bed rest is required. Most patients can return to normal activities the following day.
Vision clears quickly, and complete healing takes about eight weeks. Any strenuous activity, including exercise, should be put on hold for at least a week. You can go back to activities, such as walking, running, and bike riding usually a week after cataract surgery.
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.
It is generally recommended to avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects for the first 24 hours to a week (prolonged bending) after cataract surgery to reduce the risk of complications.
How long after cataract surgery can you bend over? While it may seem an odd question, bending over or leaning forward for any length of time can put pressure on your eye. This can affect the healing process. Try to avoid bending over for the first two weeks after surgery.
Once the shield has been removed you are safe to take a shower and wash your hair once you return home from our office on the day after surgery. Just please do so carefully, and try to avoid getting soap, dirty water, or forceful sprays of water in the eye for the first few days after surgery.
Do Your Heavy Lifting Pre-Surgery. You can walk around and do light housework after cataract surgery. However, you should avoid bending at the waist and lifting objects heavier than 25 pounds for one week following surgery.
Can this cause any problems? Answer: Today's cataract wounds are very secure and coughing or sneezing should cause no problem.
Take Care of Laundry and Other Chores Ahead of Time
These activities can increase pressure in the eye, so it's best to avoid them.
It's normal to feel extra tired after surgery, but the procedure should otherwise not affect your sleep routine. If you're someone who sleeps on their side, be sure to sleep on your non operative side, so as to minimize pressure on your operative eye during the healing period.
As the eyes heal from cataract surgery, a person should focus on maintaining a diet that supports overall health and avoids processed foods, fast foods, excess salt, sugar, tobacco, and alcohol. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI) , most people have cataracts or have had cataract surgery by age 80 years.
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.
Upon completion of your cataract surgery, a clear, plastic shield will be placed over your eye. It is important that you wear the shield as instructed by your doctor. This eye shield is more protective than a standard eye patch, guarding your eye from dust or any potential injury as you heal.
It's usually considered safe to wash your hair and shower/bathe as normal after you have cataract surgery.
Yes, it is ok to brush your teeth prior to cataract surgery. If you have been asked to fast prior to the surgery, you should use as little water as possible and try to not drink anything during or after brushing your teeth.
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.
When can I go to the hair salon? You may go as soon as the next day but be sure to advise your stylist of your recent eye surgery and to take precautions to prevent any chemicals, water or hairspray from getting into your eyes.