Most people can do very light exercise the day after cataract surgery, such as walking. For activities such as bicycling, running, playing tennis, golfing, and having sex, wait one week after the procedure. If you are a swimmer, doctors advise you to wait two weeks before entering the water to minimize the risk of infection and irritation. 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 more intense exercises, once your eye doctor has given you the go-ahead. The typical time frame for resuming exercise after cataract surgery depends on the activity. You can do light exercise for the first week, but you should avoid more strenuous activities for several weeks. This will ensure that your eye heals properly.
You may be able to return back 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. Even if you're feeling well, our Binghamton eye surgery team will recommend only light exercise once they believe your eyes are ready for it. This can include going for walks, stretching, and other low-impact activities.
You're expected to limit exercise for the first few weeks after cataract surgery and to avoid swimming for at least a month or so. Your eye surgeon will have more answers for your specific situation. Therefore, the day after cataract surgery, you can immediately resume light exercise, such as walking, biking, or light jogging. Golfers can return to play three days after surgery and lift objects or do more strenuous activities after five days.
I recommend that my patients wait a few weeks before swimming again and one month before practicing any contact sport. On the other hand, in patients who have cataracts in both eyes, what usually happens is that the cataract that is causing the greatest loss of vision is removed first. Most cataract surgeons will wait about two months between removing the first cataract and the second. High intraocular pressure is one of the most common complications in patients who undergo cataract surgery.
When it comes to exercising after eye surgery, especially cataract surgery, each individual case is different from the next. Many patients with cataracts have questions about physical activity after cataract surgery and about how quickly they can expect to resume normal activities. The pain and discomfort caused by cataract surgery usually go away a few days after the outpatient procedure. Most doctors will recommend that you do not bend down at all after cataract surgery until you have received the okay to do so.
Cataract removal generally goes smoothly, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take precautions to protect the results. It is recommended that you avoid doing weight exercises and bending down for 1 to 2 weeks after cataract surgery. You can resume activities such as walking, running, and biking usually one week after cataract surgery. We also offer the largest variety of premium intraocular lenses in the region which are used to further improve vision after cataract surgery.
At Sambursky Eye & Esthetics, cataract surgery is a well-planned procedure that uses the most advanced equipment in the industry. You can minimize the chance of a negative reaction or complication if you let your eyes and body heal properly, attend follow-up appointments, and listen to your eye doctor to find out when you can return to your usual levels of activity and exercise. While you'll be able to resume much of your normal routine as you continue to recover after cataract surgery, one thing you should stay away from for a little longer is water. As an expert in eye care and ophthalmology I always advise my patients who have undergone cataract surgery to take it easy during their recovery period. It's important that they follow their doctor's instructions carefully in order to ensure their eyes heal properly and they don't experience any complications or negative reactions from their procedure. It's important for patients who have had cataracts removed to understand that they need to take it slow when it comes to resuming physical activity and exercise.
Light exercise such as walking or stretching is generally acceptable one or two days after surgery but more strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks until your eye has had time to heal properly. Golfers should wait three days before returning to play while those who want to lift objects or do more strenuous activities should wait five days before doing so. Swimming should be avoided for at least a month while contact sports should be avoided for at least two weeks. At Sambursky Eye & Esthetics we use only advanced equipment and techniques when performing cataract surgeries so our patients can rest assured knowing they are receiving top-notch care from experienced professionals. If you've recently had cataracts removed it's important that you follow your doctor's instructions carefully in order to ensure your eyes heal properly and you don't experience any complications or negative reactions from your procedure. By taking it slow during your recovery period and avoiding strenuous activities until your eye has had time to heal properly you can minimize any chance of a negative reaction or complication from your cataract removal procedure.
