Your vision may be blurry or distorted after cataract surgery
After having cataract surgery, you may not have perfect vision, at least not right away. Your vision may seem blurry, distorted, or unstable for a few days. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about! However, this is one of the biggest reasons why you should do your best to take it easy after having cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery may be one of the most common surgical procedures in the country, but it’s still just that: a surgery! The first day, the only thing you may want to do is rest and sleep once you get home. If your vision is unstable, you’ll see it start to improve in the next day or two, and then continue to get better and better. It’s a process but the journey to clear vision will make it more than worth it!
If you want to have the most successful cataract surgery recovery possible, you must avoid any strenuous activities. What’s strenuous for one person may not be as intense for someone, right? To be as safe as possible, stick to light aerobic exercises such as:
● Walking ● Working out on the elliptical ● Jogging on the treadmill
The good news is that you can enjoy these activities during the first week of your recovery period. After the first week, you can start adding in more intense exercises, once your eye doctor has cleared you, of course.
So, when can you start exercising again after cataract surgery?
We recommend that you avoid any exercise for at least one week after cataract surgery. Any discomfort and tenderness from the surgery will settle within a few days and you can begin with some light to moderate exercise such as walking or stretching. You shouldn’t carry out exercise which involves putting your head below your waist, as bending down can put strain and pressure on your eyes.
How long after cataract surgery can you swim?
It is also recommended that you do not swim underwater for at least two weeks post-surgery, this is to reduce the threat of infection. Water carries a range of bacteria that could be harmful to your eyes as they heal from surgery. You may shower, bathe and wash your hair after the first post-operative day however you shouldn’t face the shower spray, and we recommend you try to wash your hair with your head tilted backwards to avoid shampoo/soap getting in your eyes.
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It’s recommended that you avoid weight-bearing exercise and bending over for 1 to 2 weeks following cataract surgery.
Generally, any pain and discomfort from cataract surgery subside within a few days after the outpatient procedure. Vision clears quickly, and complete healing takes about eight weeks.
Any strenuous activity, including exercise, should be put on hold for at least a week. You can go back to activities, such as walking, running, and bike riding usually a week after cataract surgery.
Most doctors will recommend that you should not bend down at all following cataract surgery until you have been cleared to do so.