Surgery - dos and don'ts after cataract surgery

After cataract surgery, it’s essential to protect your eye from infection and allow it to heal safely. 

Dos: 

• If provided with an eye shield, wear it overnight and remove it the next morning.
• Start using any prescribed eye drops the morning after surgery and continue any other eye medications, waiting five minutes between different drops and using a new bottle if possible.
• Bathe, shower, and wash hair as normal, keeping your eyes closed and using mild shampoo.
• Read, watch TV, use a computer, and continue non-strenuous daily activities like cooking.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes.
• Resume driving once you meet legal visual requirements and feel comfortable.
• Care for children as usual, unless sedated, and avoid rough play.
• Return to work as advised by your surgeon, avoiding jobs with contact, control, or restraint for 2–4 weeks.
• Gently bathe your eye if it feels sticky, using sterile swabs and cooled boiled water.
• Alcohol is safe UNLESS you had sedation; then wait 24 hours. 

Don’ts:

Avoid bending down for extended periods for at least one week. 

• Do not do gardening or strenuous exercise for at least one week. 
• Do not wear eye makeup for at least one week. 
• Do not fly without consulting your doctor. 
• Avoid contact sports for 2–4 weeks. 
• Do not go swimming for at least two weeks.