After-Care Tips After Eye Surgery

Eye surgeries, like cataract surgery, usually take less than an hour to perform, with high success rates. Returning to your daily life is possible as you recover from this procedure. To help ensure that your vision is restored on time, take a few general precautions to speed up your cataract surgery recovery process. Here's everything you need to know about after-care tips after eye surgery. 

Immediately After Eye Surgery 

In the days following the surgery, you will be prescribed eye drops to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and control the pressure inside your eyes. When you leave the hospital, you may wear an eye patch and a plastic shield over the treated eye, which can usually be removed the next day after the surgery. If you are on your own, a friend or family member will have to be with you to take you home. Additionally, you should nap as soon as you get home to rest your eyes.

After the surgery, most patients can watch TV for a few minutes or sit at the computer for a few minutes within a few hours of the procedure. During cataract surgery, it is not uncommon for one eye to be treated at a time. You may notice that your vision may be slightly off until the second eye is treated (typically one to four weeks after the first eye is treated).

How Long Do Eyes Take To Heal After Surgery?

There is a short recovery period after cataract surgery. In most cases, the soreness and discomfort should disappear within a few days of the surgery. Moreover, you can expect your vision to return within a few hours of your eye surgery. You may, however, need to wait a few days before your vision fully returns to normal. 

The following things are normal to happen:

• There is blurriness in the vision
• Double vision
• Grittiness
• Watery eyes
• Eyes that are bloodshot or red

It could take anywhere from four weeks to six weeks for you to fully recover from cataract surgery, depending on their nature, size, physiology, and ability to heal. It's also essential that you follow your doctor's instructions after surgery and keep all follow-up appointments.

How Long Should You Rest After Eye Surgery?

To ensure you have enough time to rest, plan to take one to three days off work. In most cases, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within a few days after the surgery. 

When you are feeling up for it after your eye surgery, you can resume simple diversions like reading, watching TV, writing, and walking.

Even so, the healing process still needs to run its course. Your vision may fluctuate slightly during the first few weeks before it stabilizes completely. It should take approximately one month for your eye to be structurally healed following surgery. However, it is advisable to allow your doctor to determine when this process is complete.

Tips for Fast Recovery After Eye Surgery

It is important to remember that even minor surgery affects your entire body. A person who is sensitive to pain will need extra care. Most patients experience only mild discomfort, but everyone responds differently to pain. 

To achieve faster recovery after eye surgery, below are some helpful tips: 

• Keep your follow-up appointments - Monitoring your eye's healing by your doctor is essential for fast recovery. 
• Take it easy - It is recommended that you slowly ease your way back into your everyday routine. 
• Wear eye protection - shielding your eyes for at least two weeks is recommended for faster recovery. 
• Dim light is recommended - after eye surgery, you'll be sensitive to light for the first few days. Thus, a room with dim lighting can help your eyes recover faster. 

What Should I Avoid After Eye Surgery 

• Keeping your eyes away from dust and pollen. If you get something in your eyes, use artificial tears to flush it out. Using this method, you won't need to rub your eyes.
• After eye surgery, you should refrain from washing your hair. Avoid getting water directly in your face while showering. Turn the other way instead.
• On the first day, keep the protective eye shield on. Your eyes remain sensitive after eye surgery.
• Don't get water in your eyes for two weeks. Prescription eye drops and artificial tears are the only things you should put in your eyes.
• Keep tap water away from your eyes. Tap water is unsterile.
• For three weeks, don't go swimming. There is a high level of bacteria in swimming pools, hot tubs, and the ocean.
• After surgery, refrain from wearing makeup. If you wear makeup again, remove it gently in a downward motion for two weeks.
• Reduce your computer screen time by three days. It would be ideal if you could avoid it altogether.
• Keep away from smoke. Avoid harmful contaminants for your eyes.

Also, read - 4 Activities to Avoid After Laser Treatment for Cataract.

What Foods To Eat After An Eye Surgery 

Knowing what food to eat can help you recover from eye surgery. Here are some we recommend for your road to recovery: 

Vitamin-Rich Foods

There is no doubt that vitamins, especially vitamin C, play an instrumental role in the health of our eyes. You can speed up your recovery by consuming foods rich in vitamins. 

You can add these vitamin-rich foods to your diet:

• Various citrus fruits
• Red bell peppers
• Green leafy vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Berries

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats can aid your recovery from eye surgery by helping the body absorb various nutrients. 

Healthy fat-rich foods include: 

• Avocado
• Whole eggs
• Nuts

Protein

Your eyes need protein to function and heal. Eating a protein-rich diet helps better your cells' health, further fastening recovery.

Here are the best protein-rich foods to add to your diet: 

• Chicken (organic)
• Salmon
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Nuts
• Seeds

Carbohydrates

A good carbohydrate intake can also aid your recovery after eye surgery. Carbs provide energy to your body, which also promotes healing.

Here are some healthy carbohydrates you can add to your diet: 

• Quinoa
• Whole wheat
• Bananas
• Oats
• Buckwheat

What Is the Best Way to Sleep After Cataract Surgery?

For at least the first week after your cataract surgery, you should wear a protective shield for your eye during sleep (even naps). This way, you can prevent accidentally injuring your eye as it recovers. 

Except for the eye shield, you shouldn't have to change your sleep routine much. Side sleepers may find it beneficial (and more comfortable) to sleep on their non-operative sides to minimize additional pressure on their eyes. Your doctor can provide treatment or solutions if your eye discomfort or pain affects your sleep.

When Do I Seek For Help? 

The following symptoms should be reported as soon as possible to your eye doctor:

• An increase in pain and/or reddening of the eyes
• A vision that is decreased

Get The Best After-Care After Your Eye Surgery 

A good after-care routine can help you with your recovery after eye surgery. Close monitoring of your healing progress by your eye doctors can also improve recovery times while detecting any possible complications that may occur. If you are seeking “cataract surgery near me” look no future! Our team of eye care professionals at Texas Eye and Cataract offers a multitude of eye surgeries in Waxahachie Texas to improve your vision. We also care for your well-being even after surgery with our comprehensive after-care instructions.