Do you need to wear sunglasses at night after cataract surgery?
Asked by: Dr. Tillman Turcotte II | Last update: August 11, 2023Score: 4.6/5 (35 votes)
You should continue to wear sunglasses for at least a few weeks after your surgery. This will help to protect your eyes as they heal. After a few weeks, you can start to wear them less often.
How long do I have to wear dark sunglasses after cataract surgery?
Most doctors recommend wearing sunglasses after cataract surgery for at least a week—and many doctors recommend up to a year. The truth is wearing sunglasses is always a good idea whether you've had cataract surgery or not. Protecting your eyes from the sun's damaging rays keeps them healthier longer.
Can I wear normal sunglasses after cataract surgery?
If you have cataracts, their progress will slow with less UV exposure. You reduce your risk of developing them at all. After cataract surgery, your doctor will tell you to wear UV-protecting sunglasses for at least one year, even though your intraocular lens has a special UV coating too.
What should I do the night after cataract surgery?
There are a couple of things you can do to avoid irritating your eye during your sleep. Sleep on your back or on the opposite side of the eye that was operated on to decrease your risk of infection and irritation after surgery.
How can I improve my night vision after cataract surgery?
If minor refractive errors remain after cataract surgery, you may be able to sharpen your night vision even further by wearing prescription eyeglasses. If your wear eyeglasses for driving at night, be sure to have anti-reflective coating applied to the lenses for the clearest, most comfortable vision possible.
Do I have to wear sunglasses after cataract surgery?
Does it matter how you sleep after cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery should not affect how you sleep, aside from wearing the protective eye shield to avoid rubbing the eye. Rubbing your eye or even water splashing in your eye can aggravate the chances of infection. You may also want to avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye for the first 24 hours.
How do I know if my lens has moved after cataract surgery?
Patients with a dislocated IOL may experience a decrease or change in vision, diplopia, and/or glare. Additionally, they may report ocular pain or headaches from intermittent angle-closure and/or inflammation. Some patients also report seeing the edge of the IOL.
Does night vision get worse after cataract surgery?
Yes, cataract surgery improves your night vision to a larger extent. Night vision improvement will enable you to drive, walk in low lights too. As the cataract advances the vision loss worsens, surgery might help restore your vision back.
Can I go out to dinner the day after cataract surgery?
Resume most of your usual activities – walking, watching TV, reading and going out to dinner are fine. Please wear either glasses or the protective shield at all times. Wear the shield at night for protection. Resume taking your regular medications and prescribed eye drops about 4 hours after your procedure.
What type of sunglasses are best after cataract surgery?
Plenty of UV protection – Get sunglasses that are at least UV 400, Dr. Khan recommends. That's because UV 400 sunglasses block virtually 100 percent of UV rays. These sunglasses filter out light wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, which includes UVA and UVB rays.
When can I get water in my eyes after cataract surgery?
“Give yourself at least one night of sleep before showering, and prevent the stream of water from hitting your eyes directly,” says Eghrari. “Ask your doctor when it is safe to begin swimming or using a hot tub. In most cases, that will be a few weeks.”
Can you watch TV after cataract surgery?
While everyone's recovery period is different and your eye doctor will likely give you instructions specific to your eye, let's go over some of the general do's and don'ts following cataract surgery -- starting with the things you can do: You can watch TV. You can be on your computer. You can shower or take a bath.
How long do you have to avoid light after cataract surgery?
The light sensitivity settles down in a few weeks during the recovery period after cataract surgery as the brain adapts to the new normal level of light intensity.
When can I bend over to wash my hair after cataract surgery?
Do not get your hair coloured or permed for 10 days after surgery. Do not bend over or do any strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 2 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, gardening, and dusting for 1 to 2 weeks.
What Cannot Eat after cataract surgery?
- refined carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, chips, and cereal.
- sugar.
- foods high in salt.
- processed foods, such as fast food or “junk” foods.
How long do you wear an eye patch after cataract surgery?
After your cataract surgery procedure has been performed, you will need to wear a protective eye shield whenever you sleep, whether it's during the recommended eight hours per night or for an afternoon nap. Most eye care professionals agree that seven days is the required time frame for wearing an eye shield.
Can I wash my face the day after cataract surgery?
Washing Your Face and Hygiene after Cataract Surgery
You can resume activities such as washing your face the day after surgery, as long as you are careful to not touch the eye. You shouldn't splash water directly on your face and instead, use a washcloth to carefully clean.
Can I drive 2 days after cataract surgery?
Driving After Cataract Surgery
Post-surgery, it's common for vision to be blurry for a few days. Many people can drive again within 24 hours. However, it's highly recommended you do not drive until you've seen your eye doctor after the surgery. Your ophthalmologist may recommend you wait a few more days before driving.
Why do my eyes look different after cataract surgery?
For the first few days after your surgery, it's normal to have blurred or double vision and watery/gritty eyes. Your eyes may also look red or bloodshot. These side effects will normally subside within a few days, but it can take four-six weeks for your eye to fully heal.
Can you drive after cataract surgery on one eye?
Typically, vision is greatly improved immediately after surgery. For driving, the minimal amount of time before you should be OK to drive is 24 hours after the fact, though you are strongly advised to wait for confirmation from your doctor based on your follow-up examination.
What does an eye look like immediately after cataract surgery?
Your eye may look pinkish after cataract surgery and there may even be some bright red localised bruising. This is more likely if you are taking asprin or warfarin. This is normal. Your eye may feel a little bit achy for a few days.
What are the most common problems after cataract surgery?
- Posterior Capsule Rupture/Vitreous loss.
- Cystoid Macular Edema.
- Endophthalmitis.
- Vitreous/Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage.
- Retinal Tears/Detachment.
- Lens Dislocation.
How should your vision be right after cataract surgery?
Immediately following cataract surgery, it is, in fact, normal to have blurry vision. Many patients are back to their regular activities the day after cataract surgery. This applies to most activities except for driving. Driving isn't allowed until your cataract surgeon has okayed it.
How long do you use prednisolone eye drops after cataract surgery?
Prednisolone (Pred-Forte) and loteprednol (Lotemax) are the most commonly prescribed steroid eye drops after cataract surgery. You may need to use these eye drops 2 to 4 times a day. Expect to continue using them for 2 to 6 weeks after surgery. You'll be able to cut back on how often you use them as time goes on.
How many pounds can I lift after cataract surgery?
Avoid bending over or lifting anything that weighs more than 10 to 15 pounds, including groceries and laundry. Your eyes may become more stressed as a result, which might prevent appropriate recovery.