4 Activities to Avoid After Laser Treatment for Cataract

Laser treatment for cataracts is a refractive procedure that involves the use of laser technology to correct imperfections in a patient’s cornea and improve vision problems such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism. During laser eye surgery for cataracts, the eye doctor will create a thin flap in the cornea with the help of a laser to microscopically reshape the corneal surface. After the cornea is reshaped, the surgeon will place the flap to its original location, where it will naturally heal. Although the procedure is relatively painless and involves quick recovery, you may have to avoid a few activities to expedite the recovery process. In this blog post, we discuss four activities to avoid after laser treatment for cataracts. Read on!

1. Swimming

Your eye surgeon will ask you to avoid swimming after laser eye surgery for cataracts. You must also avoid getting into saunas, hot tubs, and other bodies of water such as rivers and lakes for at least two weeks. After two weeks, you must wear goggles or keep your eyes closed whenever underwater as it can lead to infection, irritation, and dry eyes if water gets in the eyes before the cornea has recovered completely. Before you can go swimming again, visit a laser eye clinic in Waxahachie if you are in Texas to consult an eye surgeon who will track your healing process and tell you when it’s the right time to go back into the water.

2. Makeup

It is also recommended to refrain from wearing makeup for at least one week after laser treatment for cataracts. Different types of eye tools and makeup products may be loaded with bacteria that can cause serious infections. That is why doctors recommend going all-natural until your eyes are healed completely. Most importantly, you must also avoid used makeup as it has more chances of having bacteria which can cause severe irritation and lead to poor vision.

3. UV Exposure

Your eye doctor will also suggest protecting your eyes from the ultraviolet rays of the sun after cataract surgery. When heading outdoors, equip yourself with a pair of high-quality, polarized sunglasses that can offer 100 percent UV protection. This protects your eyes from the harmful rays that can damage healing eyes and cause unnecessary irritation and infection.

4. Phone and Computer Screens

Looking at your computer or phone screen can be unavoidable these days. However, you must minimize your screen time for at least 24-48 hours after laser treatment for cataracts. The screens of computers and phones emit different light wavelengths, which is why prolonged viewing can damage even the healthiest of eyes. If you are in the laser surgery healing process, you must limit your exposure to screens in the first few days to give enough time for your eyes to heal and adjust.

Wrap Up

You must also ensure not to engage in contact sports or hard workouts for at least a month after laser cataract surgery to avoid sweating which can cause excessive irritation and staining of the eyes. If you are planning to go for laser treatment for cataracts in Waxahachie, Texas, look no further than Texas Eye and Cataract. With a team of seasoned ophthalmologists and healthcare staff, we have a proven track record of successfully carrying out laser eye surgery for cataracts. To consult an ophthalmologist online or know more about laser treatment for cataracts, book an appointment today.