You should avoid sleeping on the side of your operated eye for at least one week, ideally sleeping on your back or the opposite side with a protective shield, but some doctors recommend these precautions for up to two weeks or longer, so always follow your surgeon's specific guidance for your recovery. The first week is critical, but continued care ensures proper healing without pressure or infection risk.
Since your eye will still be healing, any added pressure can delay the recovery process or lead to complications, such as increased inflammation or infection. For at least the first week after surgery, make a conscious effort to avoid sleeping on the side of the eye that underwent surgery.
Final Thoughts: Understanding Lens Settlement After Surgery
Many patients notice clearer sight within the first 24 to 48 hours, but full visual adaptation can take anywhere from two to twelve weeks, depending on the type of lens you've received, your age, and any pre-existing eye conditions.
Washing Your Hair After Cataract Surgery
Washing your hair can be a bit trickier than showering, as there's a higher risk of soap or shampoo getting into your eyes. Here are some tips to safely wash your hair: Wait at least 24 hours after your surgery before washing your hair.
Many patients experience better vision within the first 24 hours after surgery. Depending on your condition, you can take one to three days of rest and recovery or longer. You can perform simple activities such as reading, watching the television, and writing within three days of your cataract surgery.
After the first week, you can begin to glide gently back towards some household chores. However, you should still avoid anything that makes you bend down or lift anything too heavy. For example, lugging the vacuum cleaner up the stairs or leaning over to scrub the bath is best left a little longer…
Keep water, soap, shampoo, hair spray, and shaving lotion out of your eye, especially for the first week. Do not rub or put pressure on your eye for at least 1 week. Do not wear eye makeup for 1 to 2 weeks. You may also want to avoid face cream or lotion.
Wait at least 2 to 3 days before washing your hair, and be especially careful when rinsing. Ask someone to help you or try leaning backwards over a sink or bath to keep water away from your face.
Wear eye shield or glasses outside
You should use these for at least a week following the procedure, and your consultant will be able to advise you further. Make sure you wear your eye shield especially at night to prevent you from rubbing your eyes in your sleep.
Immediately after your cataract surgery, it's a good idea to just put your feet up and rest for the following few days. Try to avoid any heavy lifting, whether weights at the gym or shopping bags. It's advisable even to leave the housework, such as mopping and vacuuming until you're feeling well again.
Exercises to retrain your eyes
Laundry after cataract surgery requires careful consideration of which aspects of the process you can safely manage during your recovery. The good news is that most laundry tasks can be accomplished with minor modifications to your usual routine, though you must avoid strenuous activities.
Nighttime and Naps
Whenever you sleep, whether it is during your eight hours of night-time rest or a brief afternoon nap, wearing the eye shield is mandatory.
Side sleeping helps prevent the airway from collapsing and can reduce snoring. "And so, all in all, sleeping on the side — perhaps with their head slightly elevated as long as that's comfortable — is a good way to sleep," says Dr. Krahn. Side sleeping also is recommended during pregnancy, especially the last trimester.
Most people can do very light exercise the day after surgery, including walking. For activities like biking, running, tennis, golf and sex, wait 7 to 10 days after your procedure. If you are a swimmer, doctors advise you to wait two weeks before going in the water to minimize your risk of infection and irritation.
You should try to avoid sleeping on your side while you're recovering from surgery. After your cataract surgery, you'll be provided with an eye shield to protect your eye from dust, grime and anything else that could irritate your eye or cause infection.
It is generally not recommended to wear old glasses after cataract surgery on one eye. This is because the prescription may not be accurate to what your eye needs anymore. Cataract surgery results in significant vision change, so old glasses can cause discomfort or blurry vision.
Can I Blink During Cataract Surgery? Although blinking is a natural reflex, it won't interrupt your cataract surgery. To keep the eye open and still, your surgeon will gently place a small device called a lid speculum, which holds your eyelids apart without causing discomfort.
There's a tiny wound where the lens was replaced. It needs time to seal fully. During this period, your eye is potentially more vulnerable. Getting water or shampoo in the eye could introduce bacteria or cause inflammation.
You will likely be advised to avoid bending over or lifting anything, even mildly heavy items such as a full kettle of water. During the first day or two, your eye needs to rest, and you need to prevent accidental rubbing or bumping.
The wound can take a few weeks to fully heal, so rubbing the eye risks opening the wound and possibly letting infection in. You should refrain from heavy lifting or gardening for 2 weeks after the operation and avoid eye makeup for 2 weeks, also swimming or getting your hair dyed or perm should be avoided for 6 weeks.
Postoperative Routine
After surgery, continue using your antibiotic drops for one to two weeks, while anti-inflammatory drops (both NSAIDs and steroids) are typically continued for four to six weeks.
If water accidentally gets in your eye, do not panic. Gently pat the area dry with a clean tissue and avoid rubbing. Most brief water exposure causes no harm. However, watch for signs of infection over the next day or two, including increased redness, pain, discharge, or vision changes.
You should continue to wear your eye shield at night and outside for at least a week. You can, if you prefer, wear sunglasses when outdoors instead of the eye shield.