Things you shouldn’t dare to do after a cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is a common treatment performed by the majority of surgeons. Because cataracts affect such a large number of individuals, they are frequently removed.
Indeed, cataract surgery is one of the most frequently done surgical operations in the United States! It has been established as a safe and successful method.
However, after you’ve had surgery, it’s critical to exercise caution during your recovery. If you do not allow your eyes to recover, you endanger your health. The following are seven things you should avoid doing following cataract surgery:
Drive
You should refrain from driving for at least 24 hours following cataract surgery. You may wish to wait even longer, as many individuals experience light sensitivity for many days following surgery. Take precautions and wait until you are confident that you can see the road well enough to drive!
Makeup
Makeup is bacteria-ridden! It’s completely harmless as long as you avoid sharing cosmetics, but your eyes are more susceptible to infection throughout the healing process.
Withhold cosmetics until your surgeon’s follow-up appointment and inquire when it is safe to resume use.
If you intend to wear makeup following cataract surgery, you need to get fresh cosmetics. This is especially true for eye cosmetics such as mascara, eye shadow, or eyeliners. If you’re wearing outdated makeup, they can easily carry bacteria into your eye.
Carry Out Any Extensive Activity
Until your surgeon indicates otherwise, limit yourself to light activities. Avoid vigorous activity such as heavy lifting, exercise, and other strenuous activities.
Exercise might exacerbate difficulties throughout the cataract surgery healing process. You’re more likely to get involved in an accident if you’re performing any physically demanding activity. Therefore, take a break for a time!
Visit Areas That Are Dusty
This is not the time to dust! For a while, you should avoid activities and locations where there is a lot of dust or dirt in the air. Click here to read about The right time to return to exercising after cataract surgery.
If you are unable to avoid dust entirely, wear protective glasses when in its vicinity. Goggles are preferable to glasses because they prevent foreign objects from entering in between the lenses.
Swim
You should avoid getting water in your eye entirely, therefore when showering, avoid aiming the showerhead directly at your face. Additionally, you should abstain from any pool or hot tub visits for two weeks after cataract surgery.
Even if you are not recovering from cataract surgery, chlorine can be harmful to your eye. Avoid entering a pool or hot tub, even if your head remains above water!
Outside, Forget To Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses should always be worn outside, but they are especially more critical following cataract surgery. Protect your eyes from UV rays and avoid going out without a nice pair of sunglasses!
Consider Rubbing Your Eye
Never, ever rub your eye! While it may seem uncomfortable or irritated, touching it will aggravate it. Eye rubbing might result in significant consequences.
The majority of initial pain subsides within a day or two of operation. If you continue to feel discomfort, you can treat it with medications or eye drops. After a few days, if your suffering persists, contact your doctor.
Do not be concerned about your cataract surgery. Cataract operations are quick and painless. You’re in capable hands with the cataract doctors at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania, and there are several things you can do to expedite your recovery on your own. Let’s take a look at the dos and don’ts following cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery typically takes roughly ten minutes to complete. Due to the fact that we only operate on one eye at a time, the process is rather rapid. We offer a recovery area where you will be able to relax for around 30 minutes following surgery, or longer if you are still sleepy from the anesthetic. You’ll need someone to drive you home.
While some individuals report having clear vision immediately following cataract surgery, your vision may be impaired for a while as your eye adjusts to the new lens implant we placed in your eye to replace your clouded natural lens.
The white portion of your eye may seem red due to burst blood vessels; this is perfectly normal and often heals within a few days. Additionally, you may have some bruising behind your eye that mimics a black eye; this is typical and will dissipate within a few days.
What to Do and What Not to Do
One of the most prevalent side effects of cataract surgery is a dry eye sensation. The eye may seem nearly irritated as if it needs to be scratched, but avoid the impulse to massage it. Rubbing might cause the new lens to get dislodged. Each day, the itching sensation subsides as your eye recovers. If you already suffered from dry eye, the disease may become more severe shortly following surgery.
Don’t forget to take the drugs we recommend. We will send you home with both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. You will need to administer the drops multiple times daily for the first week following surgery. Make sure you never skip a dosage and take them precisely as instructed.
It Is Time to Heal
One of our most serious issues is patients who overdo it and attempt to accomplish too much too quickly. While you may feel fantastic following surgery, you must gradually return to your usual daily routine.
Avoid leaning over immediately following cataract surgery, since this places additional pressure on your eye. Avoid sneezing for the same reasons. Avoid driving the day after surgery. For the first several weeks following surgery, we do not want you to engage in intense activity or heavy lifting.
While your eye recovers, you should avoid swimming pools and hot tubs for at least the first week. Additionally, avoid dust and pollen-filled locations for a few weeks to avoid getting these irritants in your eye.
While the list above contains several do’s and don’ts, there are a few things you may do in the hours following surgery, such as shower or bath, light computer work, or watching a little television.