Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful ophthalmological interventions. Most people can resume their normal activities within maximum 8 weeks after surgery, but it may take up to a year for the eyes to fully recover.
If you have undergone such a procedure or are planning to, it is important to consider some aspects related to physical effort during the recovery period. Find out below how quickly you can return to walking and running, to the gym or to the swimming pool.
What happens to your eyes after cataract surgery?
To understand the healing and recovery process, it is useful to understand what happens to your eyes after cataract surgery.
During this procedure, a small incision is made in the front part of the eye. Through this opening, the surgeon removes the old cloudy lens and inserts a new lens, called artificial lens. Then, a “shield” is placed over your eye, which serves as protection during the healing process. The price of the lens depends on the type of lens needed.
After such a surgical intervention, the eyes heal in two stages. In the first 24 hours, the small incision begins to close and the surface of the eye seals. But the barrier behind the eye can take another 8 weeks to heal completely. This is the second stage.
The ophthalmologist will prescribe certain eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
How long should you wait to do physical effort after cataract surgery?
Next, we will present a calendar with general suggestions for resuming physical activities. However, it is important to consult your doctor before resuming any type of physical effort after cataract surgery.
Week 1 after surgery
In the first week after surgery, you can engage in low-impact physical activities such as:
- Outdoor walks
- Slow walking on the treadmill
- Light activities at home
- Gentle stretching exercises, without bending from the waist
Avoid bending over or lifting objects over 10 kilograms (this includes shopping bags or laundry baskets). This can increase pressure in the eyes and interfere with the healing process.
Week 2 after surgery
After 2 weeks from cataract surgery, your doctor may allow you to engage in moderate-level activities such as:
- Alert walking
- Light jogging
- Yoga
- Slow dancing
Weeks 4-6 after surgery
Starting from the 4th week, you should be able to resume more intense physical activities. These may include:
- Lifting weights at the gym or doing household chores
- Alert jogging
- Swimming
- Intense cycling
Again, it is essential to check with your ophthalmologist if you can return to this level of exercise.
If there are other activities you enjoy, make sure to ask your doctor for permission before resuming them. It is important to know what you can and cannot do in terms of physical effort, so that your recovery after cataract surgery is safe and effective.