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5 Tips for Recovering From Cataract Surgery

24 September 2019

Louis Stone

Cataract surgery has a short recovery period compared to other types of surgery. However, there are still certain activities you should avoid during the first few hours or days. The following tips can help you to stay comfortable and avoid complications during your cataract surgery recovery.

1. Don't Drive on the Day of Surgery

Although many people are surprised at how good they feel immediately after cataract surgery, it is still a good idea to get a friend to drive you home. Vision can be blurry until the brain adjusts to the removal of the cataract, compromising your ability to drive. Sedatives you were given before the procedure could also make you too groggy to drive safely.

2. Avoid Heavy Lifting

Immediately after surgery, the delicate structures in the eye are even more fragile than usual. Strenuous activities can cause a blood vessel in the eye to rupture, so it is best to avoid lifting heavy objects or doing hard workouts for a few weeks after surgery. Lighter forms of exercise, such as walking or jogging at a conversational pace, are not dangerous.

3. Don't Rub Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes puts pressure on structures that are still healing from cataract surgery. Try to avoid touching your eyes at all until your eyes feel fully healed. Eye doctors recommend that you never rub your eyes, as it can cause damage even when you haven't recently had surgery. If your eyes feel tired, try closing them for a few seconds instead of rubbing them.

4. Try to Avoid Sneezing or Vomiting

Even bodily functions like sneezing or vomiting can rupture a blood vessel in the eye, which is more likely after surgery. If you feel like you are going to sneeze, squeeze your nose with your fingers and close your eyes to contain it. Avoid drinking to excess or eating food that might have gone bad to reduce the risk of vomiting.

5. Avoid Swimming and Hot Tubs

While you are recovering from cataract surgery, your eyes are more vulnerable than usual to infection. Stay away from swimming pools and hot tubs, which typically contain a lot of germs that can infect the eyes. The chlorine in swimming pools is also likely to irritate your eyes, leaving them feeling uncomfortable. However, taking a shower or bath is fine because the water is clean, fresh, and does not contain high levels of chlorine.

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