Essential Activities to Avoid After Cataract Surgery for a Smooth Recovery
Cataract surgery is one of the most successful and most common surgeries worldwide, and it involves replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial lens in your eyes. Maintaining and protecting your eyes post-cataract surgery is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome. So we should follow the guidelines of our eye surgeon about activities we need to avoid after cataract surgery to ensure a smooth and better recovery. Here we will guide you about the top 10 activities to avoid after cataract surgery to maintain and get the best results from cataract surgery.
Top 10 Activities to Avoid after Cataract Surgery:
1. Refrain from Rubbing or touching Your Eyes
The eye is sensitive as it heals after cataract surgery. Rubbing or Pressing can abruptly affect the newly implanted lens and can cause complications such as inflammation or can dislodge the lens. It is natural to feel some discomfort after cataract surgery but rubbing or touching your eyes can also cause itching or even increase the risk of infection in the eyes. We should always use our clean hands and avoid any unnecessary contact with our eyes. If you feel more discomfort or itching in your eyes, consult your ophthalmologist rather than adjust things on your own or self-medicate.
2. Avoid Heavy Lifting
Heavy lifting is also to be avoided after cataract surgery. Lifting heavy objects after cataract surgery can increase pressure on your eyes. It is also called intraocular pressure. This added pressure can delay the healing process of your eyes and can cause various complications. So it Is advisable to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities to ensure that your eyes can heal quickly and provide the best outcomes.
3. Avoid Strenuous Exercise
Doing exercises or intense physical activities that involve vigorous movement of the body can increase intraocular pressure. It can lead to various complications in your eyes and can delay their healing process. It can also affect the stability of your new lens. So it is advisable to stick to very light or non-impact activities. You can also consult your ophthalmologist for light exercises.
4. Steer Clear of Bending Over and Lifting Objects
For the first two to four weeks following your cataract surgery, it is advisable to avoid lifting anything heavier than a few pounds and bending at the waist or straining your body. Bending over or lifting heavy objects can increase intraocular pressure which can abrupt healing of your eyes. Whenever you need to pick something, use your legs rather than bending at your waist to minimize strain. Do consider sitting down to complete any bending task.
5. Avoid Swimming and Submerging Your Eyes in Water
Swimming is one of the activities to avoid after cataract surgery by patients. The eye is very vulnerable, particularly in the initial weeks following the surgery. Swimming in pools, and hot tubs can harbour infectious bacteria and chemicals that can increase the risk of infection and delay the healing process. Therefore it is important to avoid swimming and submerging your eyes in water for at least two to four weeks following your cataract surgery. While showering, make sure not to get water or soap directly into your eyes. If you are a swimmer make sure you get the green light from your eye surgeon.
6. Limit Exposure to Dust and Pollutants
Exposure to dust and smoke can increase the risk of various infections and irritate your eyes. It can lead to discomfort and delay the eyes’ healing process. During the recovery period, you should stay in a clean environment and try to avoid places with high dust levels or strong windy places. If you are going outside for any work, then protect your eyes with sunglasses. Click Here for the Top 5 sunglasses for cataracts.
Sunglasses can protect and shield your eyes from dust and harmful UV rays as they can even damage your eyes if fall directly into your eyes. So you must protect your eyes from this dust, UV rays, and smoke to reduce the risk of infection and other complications for smoother and quicker recovery.
7. Steer Clear of Bright Lights and Screen Overuse
During the recovery period bright lights and long-lasting screen time on laptops and mobile phones /smartphones or tablets can increase eye strain and discomfort. You can use anti-glare settings on your devices or adjust the screen brightness level to your comfort level. You should use sunglasses Top 5 sunglasses used after cataract surgery while you are working on the laptop/tablet or smartphone. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from bright sunlight minimize discomfort and help in healing your eyes quickly.
8. Avoid Wearing Eye Makeup
It is best to avoid eye makeup in the initial days following your cataract surgery. Eye makeup requires touching your eyes which can make your eyes infectious and can delay the healing process. Eye makeup can also introduce various bacteria that can further damage your eyes. It is very crucial to give your eyes time to heal properly before you apply makeup to your eyes. Even if you are doing makeup after the healing process is completed, make sure that you are using hypoallergenic products but it is always a good idea to consult your eye surgeon for guidance on when it is a good time and safe to resume your eye makeup.
9. Avoid Driving Until Cleared by Your Doctor
It is necessary to wait until your eye surgeon gives you the green check before getting back on wheels Your vision might be blurry following cataract surgery for at least two to four weeks and driving requires clear and quick reflexes so it is crucial to ensure that you have regained full vision clarity comfort before you resume your driving again. We recommend you rely on public transportation for travelling until your eye surgeon gives his approval for driving.
10. Refrain from Performing Activities That Require Precision
Reading the fine print, detailed crafting, or other activities that require a high level of precision can be challenging and can make you uncomfortable if performed within two to four weeks following cataract surgery. Until your doctor confirms and gives you a green check that your vision has been stabilized, it would be better to avoid these activities. During the eye-healing process, your vision can fluctuate, and your eye focus point changes so it is recommended to focus on the activities that require less visual demands so that it can put less pressure on your eyes and help your eyes to recover quickly.
Conclusion
Following your eye surgeon and the above Top 10 activities to avoid after cataract surgery, will give your eyes more care and attention they need to recover quickly. You can reduce the risk of complications and irritation by avoiding strenuous activities and by following your eye surgeon’s recommendations. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your eye surgeon with any questions concerns or advice during your recovery period after your surgery. We assure you that your dedication and commitment to these instructions will make your post-surgery period smoother and help you achieve better outcomes.
How many days of precautions should we take after cataract surgery?
It is important to follow your ophthalmologist strictly after cataract surgery for the best outcomes and results. You should take precautions for at least three weeks. You should avoid Rubbing Your Eyes, Use Prescribed Medications, Avoid Water Exposure such as swimming for two weeks, and Limit Physical Activity such as strenuous activities and heavy lifting.
Can I use a mobile after cataract surgery?
Typically you can use Mobile phones after cataract surgery but it is important to view Mobile cautiously. Don’t watch the mobile screen continuously, take frequent breaks. To avoid straining your eyes, ensure you have proper lighting when using a mobile device. use lubricating eye drops if you feel itchy or dry while you are using your phone ensuring not to rub your eyes. The brightness of your mobile screen at your comfortable level to avoid glare.
What is the fastest way to recover from cataract surgery?
There are several steps you can take to help speed up your recovery process and ensure smooth recovery. You should follow and adhere closely to post-operative instructions provided by your eye surgeon. Use prescribed eye drops as per the instruction of your eye surgeon. If you do use mobile phones then take frequent breaks and give your eyes breaks by limiting the time spent on screens. Avoid getting soap, shampoo, or water in your eyes while bathing or showering. If you experience any of the issues such as sudden vision changes, severe pain or redness contact your ophthalmologist immediately. For faster recovery checkout our new blog post 20 Expert Tips for Training Eyes After Cataract Surgery
What food not to eat after cataract surgery?
There is no specific food that you can avoid but you should follow a balanced diet that provides better health and faster recovery. You should limit sugary and processed food that can negatively impact your healing process. Staying well hydrated is important for recovery so avoid excessive alcohol and minimize caffeine as it can dehydrate your body and can affect the healing process. Avoid heavily salted foods as this can lead to fluid retention and can increase intraocular pressure. Check our post Top 10 Foods not to eat after cataract surgery
What food to eat after cataract surgery?
You should focus on foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients such as leafy green vegetables as these are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Along with that, you can take orange and yellow vegetables such as carrots sweet potatoes and butternut squash that are high in beta-carotene. You can also berries and citrus fruits such as Amla, oranges, and lemon that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
Reviewed By
Dr. Sonam Aggarwal
MBBS, MD(C.Medicine)
[…] Inflammation or Infection: Floaters, blurred vision, pain, or redness in the eye are some of the signs that may signify a post-operative flare, such as inflammation (uveitis) or a post-operative infection (endophthalmitis). Whilst these conditions are uncommon, they are dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible to activities to avoid after surgery. […]
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