Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can restore your vision and improve your quality of life. However, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions and take certain precautions after the surgery to ensure a quick and successful recovery. Here are 6 tips to help you avoid any potential risks and get back to your normal activities as soon as possible. First of all, you should not bend down after cataract surgery for at least two weeks. Bending down puts pressure on the eye and can cause unnecessary complications.
Even if you need to do activities that require bending, such as putting on pants or shoes, try to avoid unnecessary movements. Most patients who undergo uncomplicated cataract surgery can bend down after one or two days without any issues. If you have undergone retinal surgery, however, you should be extra careful. This type of surgery often includes the placement of a gas bubble, so you should avoid any unnecessary movements, especially in a direction that may not be beneficial to your healing. Immediately after the procedure, avoid bending down to put more pressure on your eyes. It's also important to avoid strenuous activities for the first week after cataract surgery.
As with bending down, strenuous activities can cause a rush of blood to the head that interferes with eye recovery. If you need to pick something up, ask a friend or family member for help or keep your head up while squatting. You should also be aware of situations that increase your exposure to irritants. If you wear very strong glasses, once you've had cataract surgery on one eye, you'll have a noticeable difference in vision between the two eyes. To minimize this risk, make sure to wear a clear protector at night for a week after cataract surgery. Finally, it's important to arrange for someone else to drive you back and forth from the cataract surgery center.
Your vision may be blurry and you may feel unbalanced between your eyes immediately after the procedure, so it's best not to drive yourself. If you're preparing for cataract surgery in the near future, following these 6 tips will help ensure a quick and successful recovery. If you have any other questions or concerns about the procedure or postoperative care, don't hesitate to contact your doctor.