Can you lift and bend after cataract surgery?

You should not bend down after cataract surgery for at least 2 weeks. Squatting down will put pressure on the eye and this can cause unnecessary eye complications. Strenuous activities (such as lifting objects) can increase eye pressure levels. High intraocular pressure is one of the most common complications in patients who undergo cataract surgery.

In most patients, these levels drop, but those whose eye pressure levels remain high are more likely to develop glaucoma later in life. If bacteria enter the eye while it is still healing, it could cause an infection, since the eye is more sensitive than usual after a procedure such as cataract surgery. It is recommended that you avoid doing weight exercises and bending down for 1 to 2 weeks after cataract surgery. Although it can be very tempting, don't try to lift anything that weighs more than 10 pounds during the first week after cataract surgery.

Recovering from cataract surgery is fairly simple, but following these 6 tips will help you minimize potential risks. Follow all your doctor's instructions after cataract surgery and wait long enough for your eyes and body to heal before resuming your normal activities. If you're preparing to have cataract surgery in the coming months, you're probably anxious to complete the procedure and regain your (improved) vision. You can resume activities, such as walking, running, and biking, usually one week after cataract surgery.

Many patients with cataracts have questions about physical activity after cataract surgery and about how quickly they can expect to resume normal activities. Most doctors will recommend that you do not bend down at all after cataract surgery until you have received the okay to do so. If you're looking for the shortest possible time to recover from cataract surgery, consider situations that increase your exposure to irritants. Cataract surgery is considered an extremely safe and common surgical procedure with high success rates.

If you love swimming, this is something you shouldn't do for at least a month after cataract surgery. The pain and discomfort caused by cataract surgery usually go away a few days after the outpatient procedure. Keep yourself (and that of others on the road) safe by arranging for a friend or family member to drive you back and forth to the cataract surgery center. On the other hand, in patients who have cataracts in both eyes, what usually happens is that the cataract that causes the greatest loss of vision is removed first.