Cataract surgery is incredibly common, quick, and usually very successful. However, just because the procedure only takes a few minutes doesn’t mean your eye doesn’t need time to heal. The first few weeks after surgery are critical for protecting your new lens and keeping infections at bay. To ensure your recovery goes smoothly, here are the key activities you need to hit the pause button on.
Adding a little planning to your recovery can make it much easier to avoid accidental strain on your healing eye. Before leaving the clinic, it helps to understand the recommended Activities Avoid Cataract Surgery patients should follow, including arranging help with household chores, grocery shopping, or driving if needed during the first few days. Preparing your home in advance and following your ophthalmologist’s instructions on eye drops, protective shields, and follow-up appointments can significantly reduce the risk of complications while giving your eye the best chance to heal properly
Skipping the Heavy Lifting and Intense Workouts
Now is not the time to hit the gym or rearrange your living room furniture. For at least the first week or two, you should avoid any strenuous exercise or lifting anything heavy, usually anything over 10 to 15 pounds. Heavy physical strain increases the pressure inside your head, which in turn puts pressure on the healing incision in your eye. For the same reason, try to avoid bending over from the waist to pick things up to pick things up, bend at your knees instead to keep your head above your heart.
Keeping Water Out of Your Eyes
While you can certainly wash your body, you need to be extremely careful around water. Avoid getting direct water spray, soap, or shampoo in your eyes when you shower. More importantly, stay completely out of swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans for at least a couple of weeks. Water can easily carry bacteria, and because your eye has a fresh, healing incision, letting water get inside can lead to a serious infection.
Resisting the Urge to Rub Your Eye
It is completely normal for your eye to feel a bit itchy, scratchy, or dry after surgery. However, rubbing your eye is one of the worst things you can do. The healing incision is highly delicate, and putting physical pressure on your eyelid can reopen the cut or even shift your new lens out of place. If your eye feels dry or irritated, stick to the lubricating eye drops prescribed by your doctor and wear your protective eye shield, especially when you sleep.
Avoiding Dusty and Dirty Spaces
Your eye is extra sensitive after surgery, making it highly vulnerable to airborne irritants. Try to avoid cleaning tasks that kick up a lot of dust, like heavy sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming. It is also smart to stay indoors on windy days and avoid places like construction sites, woodshops, or gardens. If you do have to go outside, wearing sunglasses can act as a physical barrier against flying dirt and pollen.
Putting the Makeup on Hold
It is best to take a break from eye makeup, face creams, and lotions for at least one to two weeks post-surgery. Makeup products and brushes can easily harbor bacteria and introduce them directly to your healing eye. Additionally, washing these products off at the end of the day requires rubbing around the eye area, which is a major safety risk. Keep your face bare and clean to give your eye the sterile environment it needs to heal.
