Precautions After Cataract Surgery

What if one of the leading causes of blindness in India could be treated with a simple surgery? According to the ETV Bharat report, cataracts cause over half (51%) of blindness cases in India. That’s a huge number, but it also means that proper treatment can restore sight for many.

Cataract surgery is a safe and common procedure. It works by removing the cloudy lens inside the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial one. This helps restore your vision. The surgery usually doesn’t take long, and most people go back to their routine quickly. However, surgery is just the beginning. How you care for your eyes afterward greatly affects how well you heal. So, read on to get post cataract surgery care tips to protect your eyes and ensure your recovery from the surgery goes smoothly.

Why Eye Care After Cataract Operation Matters?

Cataract surgery involves replacing the clouded lens of your eye with a clear artificial lens. While the procedure itself is quick and often painless, your eyes need time to heal. Proper post cataract surgery care tips can:

• Prevent infections
• Reduce inflammation
• Avoid injury or complications
• Ensure optimal vision outcomes

What Not to Do After Cataract Surgery

Let's begin with what you shouldn't do to protect your eyes and accelerate healing:

• Don't rub or touch your eyes. It may itch or feel watery, and that's okay. But rubbing is going to disturb the new lens or introduce germs. If you must have some relief, use the eye drops that your doctor provided to you.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, including heavy lifting. You should let your body rest for at least a week. These exercises will increase pressure on your eyes and hinder healing.
• Avoid dusty or dirty environments. If you must go out, wear sunglasses or protective eyewear to keep dust and grime out.
• Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay. Your vision may be blurry or changing for a while, so wait for the green signal from your doctor before getting behind the wheel.
• You should also avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas. Water can carry bacteria that might cause infections. It’s best to stay clear for at least two weeks.
• Limit your screen time. Phones, computers, and televisions will fatigue your eyes during recovery. Take breaks and use devices in lighted rooms. 
• Avoid housework that requires bending or lifting heavy things. These things raise eye pressure, which isn't helpful when healing. Stay away from doing them for a week or so. 
• Makeup irritates or infects eyes, so it's best to avoid it for at least two weeks.

Do’s for Eye Care After Cataract Operation

Now that you have an idea of what not to do, here is what you must do to take care of your eyes and ensure their proper healing:

• Use the eye drops that your doctor has prescribed, exactly as instructed. The drops combat infection and inflammation. Missing doses will delay your recovery or result in issues.
• Always wear your protective eye shield, especially while sleeping. It protects your healing eye from dust and incidental rubbing.
• You must keep everything around your eye clean. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes or putting in drops. In addition, you should also avoid creams or makeup near your eyes for a few weeks.
• Healing needs energy, so take it easy and sleep well. Try to cut down on screen time for the first few days.
• Don't miss your follow-up visits. These visits allow your doctor to check on the healing of your eye and adjust your treatment if necessary. Even if you don't feel any pain, these visits are necessary.

Also Read: Benefits of Laser Cataract Surgery

How to Protect Eyes After Cataract Surgery?

Protecting your eyes after cataract surgery is important. In addition to wearing your eye shield and protective goggles, the following are some simple suggestions to safeguard your vision and keep your peepers feeling good:

Dry Your Eye Area

When you wash your face or shower, be careful. Use a wet washcloth to wash around your eyes, but avoid allowing water to splash directly on them.

Be Easy on Screens

Your eyes may be more sensitive now, so don't spend hours on your phone, computer, or TV in the first few days.

Sleep on the Opposite Side

Sleep on the side opposite the one that wasn't operated on. This will prevent pressure on your recovering eye. If necessary, use some extra pillows to remain comfortable and in the correct position.

Healing or Harm? Spotting the Difference After Eye Surgery

After cataract surgery, you should be aware of which symptoms are part of normal healing and which may need urgent medical attention. This knowledge can help you protect your vision and ensure a smooth recovery.

Stay Safe: Follow Your Post-Surgery Precautions

Recovery from cataract surgery is generally rapid (4-6 weeks). Most individuals experience better eyesight within a few days. But each eye heals differently. Have faith in the process, take these cataract surgery recovery dos and don’ts seriously, and treat your eyes with tender love and care. Avoid rubbing your eyes, heavy exercise, bending, dusty places, water like pools, and driving until your doctor says it’s okay. Use your prescribed eye drops, wear your eye shield while sleeping, keep your hands clean before touching your eyes, and get plenty of rest. 

If you have any concerns or want personalised recovery advice, the expert ophthalmologists at Apollo Spectra are just a click away. Our team is committed to offering the best eye care after cataract operation with cutting-edge facilities and compassionate support.