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.
Many eye surgeons advise patients to avoid alcohol for the first week after eye surgery to ensure the eyes can maintain adequate lubrication.
Generally, avoid high-fat meats, eggs, dairy products, and sugary sweets. According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), these foods are low in fiber and may lead to constipation.
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!
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.
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.
Yogurt contains healthy bacteria that can help restore gut health after antibiotics and surgery. Yogurt is also easy to tolerate; it is unlikely to cause nausea or vomiting after surgery. And it contains zinc and protein, two nutrients that promote healing.
Protein – soy, dairy, beans, eggs, cottage cheese, poultry, fish, meat, and nuts are all excellent sources of protein. Make sure you incorporate some into each meal to allow your bones and muscles to rebuild and help your immune system stay strong enough to fight off infection.
Soft Fruit (banana, papaya, berries, canned peaches, or pears) Applesauce. Popsicles. Ice Cream, Milkshakes.
Vitamin C: The antioxidant vitamin C helps protect the body from damage and helps repair and grow new cells. Good sources include citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, and vegetables, such as red bell peppers and broccoli.
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.
Your provider will probably also recommend that you not eat or drink anything after midnight or the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water. If you regularly take prescription medicines, your provider may ask you to take them on the day of surgery with a sip of water.
Here are the foods that should be added after cataract surgery: Protein-rich foods: Pork, beef, chicken, seafood, eggs, milk, grains, ... are food sources. Protein-rich products provide amino acids to regenerate eye tissue.
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.
Blood sugar levels may rise after surgery, so it is advisable to avoid foods that are high in refined sugar such as cakes, cookies, chocolate, sweetened drinks and soft drinks.
Upon arriving home, you may resume a diet of soft foods and plenty of fluids. Foods such as Jell-O, soup, mashed potatoes, pudding, ice cream and yogurt are all acceptable to eat. On the day after your surgery, ease into a regular diet. Eat only foods that do not cause you discomfort.
Dairy products can be an excellent source of healing after surgery as they contain a lot of protein. But many people experience constipation after consuming dairy products after surgery. There are also cases which show dairy product enhances the secretion inside the lungs. This secretion may result in chronic cough.
Foods to avoid
Some options increase the chances of constipation, including cheese, red meat, sugary treats, and processed foods. Processed foods also lack the nutrients needed to heal, so are especially detrimental to your health.
Therefore, should you eat chicken and eggs after a surgery? Yes, it is completely safe and even advisable. However, if you are still not convinced and do not feel comfortable eating them, it is also alright to skip the chicken and egg. Nevertheless, remember to get your protein from the other sources as mentioned.
Mashed potatoes: Not only are mashed potatoes delicious, but they are easy to make and they really are the perfect post-surgery food. You can smother them with gravy, butter or sour cream. Top the meal with whatever sounds good to you, but make sure there aren't large potato chunks you'll have to chew.
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.
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.
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.