If you have been advised cataract surgery, you may naturally have questions such as: What should I do before surgery? Can I eat normally? When can I wash my face? When can I return to work?

The exact advice can vary from patient to patient, so your ophthalmologist’s instructions should always come first. Still, there are some general precautions that most patients are advised to follow.

Before Cataract Surgery

Before surgery, your doctor will examine your eyes and take measurements to plan the procedure and choose the appropriate artificial lens.

You may also be asked about:

• diabetes

• blood pressure

• current medications

• previous eye surgery

• allergies

• other medical conditions

Make sure you give your doctor a complete list of the medicines you take, including blood thinners and supplements. Do not stop any medication on your own unless your doctor specifically asks you to.

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar reasonably controlled is especially important before surgery. Your eye surgeon may also coordinate with your physician if needed.
Follow the Instructions About Food and Medicines

Some cataract surgeries are performed under local anaesthesia, but fasting instructions can still vary depending on the type of anaesthesia and the hospital protocol.

Your surgical team will tell you whether you need to avoid food or drinks before the procedure.

It is important to follow those instructions exactly rather than assuming the same rules apply to everyone.

Avoid Eye Makeup and Keep the Eye Area Clean

On the day of surgery, it is usually better to avoid:

• eye makeup

• kajal or eyeliner

• creams close to the eyes

• contact lenses, if your doctor has asked you to stop using them

Keeping the eye area clean helps reduce the risk of contamination around the time of surgery.

You may also be prescribed eye drops before surgery. Use them exactly as advised.

Arrange for Someone to Accompany You

You should not plan to drive yourself home immediately after cataract surgery.

Vision may be temporarily blurred, and the operated eye may be covered or protected with a shield depending on your doctor’s instructions.

It is safer to have a family member or friend accompany you.

Care After Cataract Surgery

After surgery, the eye needs time to heal. Many patients notice an improvement in vision relatively soon, but recovery can vary depending on the eye, the type of cataract, and other medical conditions.

Do not worry if your vision is not perfectly clear immediately after surgery. Mild blurring, watering, or a foreign-body sensation can occur during the early recovery period.

Use Your Eye Drops Correctly

Post-operative eye drops are usually prescribed to reduce inflammation and help prevent infection.

Use them exactly as instructed by your ophthalmologist.

A few simple tips can help:

• wash your hands before using eye drops

• avoid touching the bottle tip to the eye or eyelashes

• leave a small gap between different eye drops if more than one has been prescribed

• continue them for the full duration advised

Do not stop the drops early just because the eye feels better.

Do Not Rub or Press the Operated Eye

The eye may feel itchy or slightly uncomfortable during the first few days, but avoid rubbing or pressing it.

Your doctor may advise using a protective eye shield while sleeping for a few days, especially during the early recovery period.

Be Careful While Washing Your Face

You can usually maintain normal personal hygiene, but avoid allowing soap, shampoo, or dirty water to enter the operated eye during the early healing period.

Do not splash water directly into the eye.

Your doctor will tell you when you can return to your normal face-washing and hair-washing routine.

Avoid Heavy Activity for a Short Period

Light activities are usually possible fairly soon, but it is better to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting until your ophthalmologist says it is safe.

Activities that may temporarily need to be limited include:

• heavy gym workouts

• lifting heavy objects

• swimming

• contact sports

• dusty or dirty environments

Normal walking and routine household activities are usually easier to resume, but this can differ between patients.

Can You Watch TV or Use a Mobile Phone?

In most cases, watching television, using a mobile phone, or reading does not damage the operated eye.

However, your eyes may feel tired initially, so take breaks if you experience discomfort.

There is no need to force yourself to read or use screens if the eye feels strained.

When Can You Return to Work?

This depends on the kind of work you do.

Someone with a desk job may be able to return sooner than a person whose work involves:

• heavy physical activity

• dust

• chemicals

• driving for long periods

• construction or outdoor work

Your ophthalmologist can advise you based on your recovery and occupation.

When Should You Contact Your Doctor?

Mild discomfort can occur after surgery, but some symptoms should not be ignored.

Contact your eye doctor promptly if you experience:

• severe or increasing eye pain

• sudden reduction in vision

• increasing redness

• significant swelling

• flashes of light or a sudden increase in floaters

• nausea or vomiting along with eye pain

• unusual discharge from the eye

If something feels significantly different from what your doctor explained, it is better to get the eye checked.

Follow-Up Visits Are Important

Post-operative check-ups allow your ophthalmologist to monitor healing, eye pressure, inflammation, and vision.

Even if the eye feels comfortable, do not skip follow-up visits unless your doctor advises otherwise.

At Pixel Eye Hospital in Kukatpally and Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad, cataract patients are given pre-operative and post-operative instructions based on their individual eye condition. Dr. Abdul Rasheed and Dr. Krishna Poojita are part of the cataract and refractive surgery team and can guide patients through the surgery and recovery process.

Final Thoughts

Good cataract surgery care does not end when the procedure is over.

Following the recommended precautions before surgery, using your eye drops correctly, protecting the eye, and attending follow-up visits can support a smoother recovery.

If you are planning cataract surgery in Hyderabad, you can consult Pixel Eye Hospital at Kukatpally or Sanath Nagar for an eye evaluation and personalised guidance before and after surgery.