What Should You Not Do After Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest surgical procedures available, with a high success rate in improving vision. However, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions and take certain precautions during the recovery period to ensure a successful healing process. In this article, we will explore what you should and shouldn't do after cataract surgery. After surgery, your surgeon will prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. These are vital to prevent infection and inflammation and aid the healing process, so it is important that you use these drops as prescribed.

In the first few weeks after treatment, eye drops will need to be administered several times a day. Your clinical care team will provide more tips on how to use them during your various follow-up appointments. It is also important to avoid rubbing or touching your eyes hard after cataract surgery. Rubbing can cause bacteria to enter the eye, which could lead to infections. In addition, applying pressure to the eye through extensive rubbing can damage the outer window of the eye, known as the cornea, and is detrimental to the healing process.

Your eyes may feel a little uncomfortable in the early stages after cataract surgery, but it's important to avoid rubbing and touching them to allow them to recover as quickly as possible. Wearing eye makeup is also something that should not be done after

cataract surgery

. Even if you are very careful, makeup particles can cause irritation and increase the chance of infections during the recovery period, so it is recommended that you do not use any for at least the first seven days after treatment. Your clinical care team will be able to give you more guidance on when it's safe to resume your makeup regimen during the first follow-up appointments. Swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas should also be avoided for the first few weeks after treatment, as water can carry bacteria that are harmful to the eyes. Swimming is also discouraged, as it is considered a strenuous activity which should be avoided in the days following treatment. It is also important not to drive for at least 24 hours after cataract surgery.

Until your surgeon says you can only do light activities, do not drive the first day after surgery. Don't lift heavy objects or do any strenuous activity for a few weeks. At Optical Express, your treatment doesn't end with the surgery itself. We have designed a complete aftercare program to ensure that your vision is the best possible. Receiving comprehensive aftercare is vital to ensure that your recovery is progressing as it should, so it's important that you attend each of your routine follow-up appointments as directed by the optometrist and surgeon. If you follow these instructions on what you should and shouldn't do after cataract surgery, your recovery should be quick and comfortable.

By attending regular aftercare appointments as recommended by your optometrist, we can ensure that your recovery is progressing as it should and that your vision is the best possible. Less than 2% of eyes that undergo cataract surgery have sight-threatening complications after the procedure. You may also have red, bloodshot eyes due to temporary damage to the blood vessels in the white part of the eye (sclera) during cataract surgery. However, if you observe some precautions for the first week or so and follow your doctor's detailed instructions on how to protect your eye after the procedure, full recovery from cataract surgery should occur in about one month when the eye is fully healed.