Dr. Niteen Dedhia
September 24, 2025 | Author: Admin
September 24, 2025
Cataract, indeed, is one of the safest and most effective surgeries in ophthalmology. Patients have an instant improvement in their vision, and they return to a normal routine. Careful consideration of postoperative care has assured the best outcome. Below is a very comprehensive list of what to do or not do after the cataract surgery.
Dos: Best Practices for Best Recovery
- Travel as directed – A course of eye drops is usually prescribed to all patients: antibiotics and anti-inflammatory preparations for preventing infection and lessening the swelling. Wash your hands always before any medication administration and use the custom program recommended by your surgeon. They are to be continued till the date of post-op check-ups, as prescribed.
- Give some rest to the eye – While you may notice immediate improvement in vision, the eye needs time to heal. On those first two or three days, do not engage in very strenuous work, do any bending down, or lift heavy objects. Light distraction, like reading and watching some television, and casual use of the computer, is usually fine unless your doctor advises against it.
- Put on your protective shield or glasses – To prevent unintentional rubbing or dust irritating the eye, go outside with protective glasses on. Also, it protects from the wind, dust, and pollen, much, etc.
- Pain Killer when Needed – Minimal pain often felt after surgery would come with a sensation of gravel in the eye; watering and aching may occasionally follow this complaint. Most discomforts will usually be answered with a commercial pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Again, such medications should be used only as prescribed and in association with your prescribed eye drops.
- Shower safely and wipe gently – One can shower or bathe after surgery, but not soap, shampoo, or let water get into the operated eye. Instead of splashing water onto oneself, allow the water to flow onto the body and gently wash one’s face with a wet cloth. For the operated eye, use cooled boiled water, cotton wool or gauze, and wipe very slowly from the inner corner to the outer corner. When wiping, never press or rub the eye.
Don’t: The Best Practices Not to Follow After Cataract Operation
- Don’t give yourself a driving license – You are not supposed to drive yourself at all after surgery. You can drive only after the ophthalmologist has cleared you, and also when you can see legally. This may take three to four days or even longer.
- Don’t rub or touch your eye – Even a gentle rubbing or pressure on your eye can interfere with the healing, may displace the lens, or infect it. During the first weeks of recovery, avoid touching the eye at all.
- Not Too Soon to Reapply Eye Makeup – Particles from mascara, eyeliner, or eye shadow may float into the eye under healing and cause irritation or infection. It is generally suggested not to wear any eye makeup for at least a few weeks, with an important exception made at the end of the week until your doctor says it’s fine.
- Don’t Expose the Eyes to Irritants – Always keep your eyes away from dust, smoke, wind, pollen, or chemical fumes. Don’t engage in activities like cooking greasy foods or doing housework that might cause splatter or limitless airborne particles.
- Don’t Swim or Go into the Sauna – Hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms tend to be fertile ground for bacteria and infection; hence, they should be best avoided for a few months. Usually, it’s always 4 to 6 weeks of avoidance before healing enough takes place in the eye.
Returning to Work Again and Resuming Normal Activities
- When to resume work – Most patients return to work about three days after their operation if their jobs require little or no effort. If you are in a job requiring manual labor or extensive visual activity, you may require longer to stay off work. Follow your doctor’s advice on this matter.
- Exercising and Moving Heavy – Mild walking is generally acceptable after surgery, but things that put a strain on the body or eyes, such as lifting heavy things, or intense workouts, are usually not advised until told otherwise by your surgeon.
- New Glasses – Your prescription might change as your eye settles. This is generally when an optometrist will see you four to six weeks after surgery to clarify whether glasses need to be replaced. It is also generally discussed after surgery in check-ups.
When Help is needed or Red Flags to Watch For
Look out for symptoms that might mean complications and report to your surgeon or eye clinic if you notice:-
- Increased pain, swelling, or redness
- Suddenly worsening of vision or blurring that will not go away
- Yellowish or greenish discharge from the eye
- Flashes of light, floaters, or shadows in your vision
- A sensation that the lens is shifting and distorted vision
All of these should be assessed immediately to rule out complications like infection, retinal detachment, or implant dislocation.
Final Thought
Typically, recovery from cataract surgery is rather simple and swift; however, your diligence during the postoperative days and weeks will determine your eventual results. Thus, straying from the aforementioned “dos” and “don’ts,” along with continuous communication with your eye surgeon, will give you the best chance of a clear, comfortable vision and a successful recovery process.
