Activities After Cataract Surgery

With cataracts, clouded and blurred vision can significantly interfere with everyday activities, from reading and watching TV to driving at night and recognising faces. Colours may appear faded, and bright lights or glare can cause discomfort, making it harder to enjoy daily routines.

The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful surgeries in the world. This procedure can make a significant difference in your quality of life; it can help patients regain their clarity of vision and reclaim their independence.

Once your vision has been restored, it’s only natural to want to get back to doing all the things you love, whether it’s enjoying time in your garden, planning a trip abroad or simply settling back into your routine. However, it might take some time to make sure these activities won’t disrupt your recovery.

At Sapphire Eye Care, we know how important it is to feel informed and confident in the path of your recovery. Patients will naturally have many questions, including when they can return to familiar activities like driving, housework, showering, gardening, exercising, and even flying.

In this article, we’ll explore the most common lifestyle activities after cataract surgery, what to expect from your recovery, and how to approach each lifestyle event safely, so that you can enjoy your life with peace of mind.

 

What to Expect After Cataract Surgery

Most people recover quickly from cataract surgery, with noticeable improvements in their vision, often apparent within a few days. While recovery is usually straightforward, everyone heals at their own pace.

There are some activities you’ll need to avoid initially during those first couple of critical days post-surgery. Making sure you don’t knock the eye and use your eye drops will help the healing process and mean that you can get back to normal with lifestyle events as soon as possible.

During this time, you will receive a telephone call from one of our ophthalmic nurses within 48 hours of your surgery, just to check that all is well post-surgery. If you have any questions, our specialist surgeons are here to support you at every stage.

Housework is seemingly never-ending; there’s always something that needs dusting, cleaning, vacuuming or washing. However, you should avoid jumping back into these routine tasks, as they can cause strain and interfere with your recovery.

Gradually pick up gentler activities that you feel comfortable with, as approved by your surgeon. Be careful when bending over, reaching up high and lifting anything heavy. If your vision becomes blurry or strained, stop what you’re doing and rest.

After the first couple of weeks, more demanding physical chores can start to be done, all while still being careful not to knock the eye. If you are unsure about a particular activity, please get in touch with a member of our specialist team.

 

Showering and Washing Hair After Cataract Surgery

Usual hygiene is important, especially after cataract surgery. However, you’ll need to take some precautions when it comes to showering and washing your hair during your recovery.

 

Some General Guidelines

You are safe to shower 24 hours after your surgery, but avoid getting any water or soap into your eyes.

Turn your face away from the stream and use a clean flannel or cloth to gently cleanse around your face.

When washing your hair, tilt your head back or use a handheld showerhead to avoid water running over the eyes.

 

During Summer or Warmer Weather

Swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas can really help you to relax during the hotter months. However, it’s best to avoid these environments for at least 2 weeks, as they can irritate your eyes and increase your risk of infection. After this, it’s advisable to wear goggles so that you can continue to protect your eyes.

Do you have an exciting holiday coming up that you would hate to miss out on?

Looks like you don’t need to worry: flying after cataract surgery is safe. We can fly people home to the Channel Islands the same day of their surgery. Just make sure you get the all-clear from your doctor or medical professional and use eye drops during your flight to keep your eyes lubricated.

Everyone’s recovery journey looks different. With Sapphire Eye Care, our specialist surgeons will provide you with personalised advice, so you can rest assured that you are safe to travel and enjoy your holiday.

 

Exercise After Cataract Surgery

Sticking to light movement after cataract surgery is a great way to keep your body moving, whilst aiding the healing process. For example, you can return to gentle walking, which is good for both your physical and mental well-being. Make sure you avoid dusty environments and protect your eyes with sunglasses or an eye shield when you’re outside.

More strenuous activities can affect your eye pressure and, therefore, should be avoided. These sports can include tennis, golf, yoga, cycling, running and going to the gym.

In particular, it’s recommended that you steer clear of swimming for at least 2 weeks. All of the activities mentioned can pose a bacterial risk to your eyes and open them up to the possibility of infection and irritation.

 

Gardening After Cataract Surgery

A truly rewarding and relaxing pastime, gardening is a beautiful way to get in touch with nature and connect with local wildlife. However, it does come with potential hazards, such as pollen, dust and requires one to bend over frequently, which risks knocking the eye, especially in the first few days, when your vision may be more restricted during recovery.

We recommend waiting for at least 4 weeks before engaging in gardening activities and using raised beds or benches to avoid leaning too far forward and putting too much strain on your eyes.