Recommended slumber stance following cataract operation surgery
Cataract surgery is a common procedure to correct cloudy portions of the lens in the eye, which can cause blurry vision. After the surgery, it's essential to take care of your eye as it heals. Here's a guide to help you navigate the recommended precautions and activities to avoid.
Protecting Your Eye
After cataract surgery, individuals need to protect their eye as it heals. To do this, avoid rubbing or touching your eyes as it increases the risk of infection and can interfere with healing.
Additionally, do not expose your eyes to dirty water, dust, or contaminants for 2-3 weeks. This means avoiding swimming or getting water directly in your eyes, and washing your hair carefully to prevent shampoo or soap from entering your eyes.
Avoiding Strenuous Activities
Refrain from heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, bending over, or activities that increase eye pressure for at least 1-4 weeks to protect the surgical site and facilitate healing.
Avoid wearing eye makeup or heavy skin creams around your eyes for 2-3 weeks to reduce the infection risk.
Hygiene and Medication
Maintain good hygiene, especially washing your hands before applying eye drops and avoiding touching your eyes with unwashed hands. Use prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops regularly to prevent infection and aid recovery.
Other Precautions
Avoid showering with water directly on your face or washing your eyes with normal water for about 10 days. Instead, take baths below the chin and clean your face gently with a moist towel.
Limit screen time (TV, phone) in the first few days to reduce eye strain and light sensitivity, but moderate use is allowed after initial rest.
Avoid contact sports, playing with children, or any activity that risks eye injury for about a month.
Additional Recommendations
Patients are advised to wear sunglasses outdoors to protect sensitive eyes from bright sunlight and UV rays. Attend all follow-up appointments for proper monitoring.
These precautions typically apply for 1 to 4 weeks post-surgery, depending on your doctor's advice and individual healing speed.
Sleeping and the Protective Eye Shield
Apart from sleeping on your back and wearing a protective eye shield, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends avoiding rubbing, pressing, and sleeping on the affected eye after surgery.
People can try to avoid sleeping on the same side of the operated eye for 1 week, but if they wear a protective shield securely overnight, their eye should have enough protection, even if they unintentionally end up sleeping on that side.
Returning to Normal Activities
People can resume some light activities within a few hours of surgery, such as reading, watching TV, walking, and showering, but should avoid letting water directly hit their eye.
Most people can return to typical activities within a few days after surgery, but they should arrange for a friend or family member to drive them home after surgery.
[1] American Academy of Ophthalmology. (n.d.). Cataract surgery. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/cataracts-cataract-surgery
[2] Mayo Clinic. (2020). Cataract surgery recovery. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cataract-surgery/in-depth/cataract-surgery/art-20047895
[3] National Eye Institute. (2020). Cataract. Retrieved from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts
[4] All About Vision. (2020). Cataract surgery recovery. Retrieved from https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataracts/recovery.htm
[5] Cleveland Clinic. (2020). Cataract surgery recovery. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16059-cataract-surgery/about
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