Cataract surgery is a common and successful procedure that can improve your vision and allow you to return to your normal activities. However, it is important to take the necessary precautions and follow your doctor's instructions to ensure a successful recovery. Generally, you can expect to resume simple activities, such as reading, watching TV, writing, and walking, as soon as you feel like doing so after eye surgery. You may be able to return to light activities a few days or a week after cataract surgery.
Walking, stretching, and doing activities that do not involve placing the head below the waist, lifting heavy objects, or performing high-intensity activities are generally acceptable one to two days after surgery. It is recommended that you avoid doing weight exercises and bending down for 1 to 2 weeks after cataract surgery. If you want your recovery from cataract surgery to be as successful as possible, it is important to avoid any strenuous activity. Swimming should be avoided for at least a month after cataract surgery.
Ophthalmologists suggest delaying applying warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, and other treatments used for blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfunction, and dry eye until one week after cataract surgery. It is important to note that it is not recommended to lift anything that weighs more than 10 pounds during the first week after cataract surgery. Follow all your doctor's instructions after cataract surgery and wait long enough for your eyes and body to heal before resuming your normal activities. If bacteria enter the eye while it is still healing, it could cause an infection, since the eye is more sensitive than usual after a procedure such as cataract surgery.
In conclusion, plan to take one to three days off work to make sure you have enough time to rest. However, it is normal to resume most normal activities in a couple of days. Cataract surgery has a high success rate in improving your vision and should allow you to return to normal activities, such as driving. You can resume activities, such as walking, running and biking, usually one week after cataract surgery.
