Can You Rub Your Eyes After Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the world. However, even though it’s deemed to be one of the safest invasive procedures with a virtually 100% success rate, it’s still important to understand the healing process 

Today’s ultra-advanced techniques mean that only the smallest incision is made through the integrity of the eye tissue. Even so, it still causes a (tiny) traumatic injury. Therefore, even the fastest recovery will take a minimum of eight weeks to fully heal.

So… Back to the question of “Can you rub your eyes after cataract surgery?” The short answer is no, you really shouldn’t do this—especially in the first crucial days post-surgery.

Understanding why this is can help you do everything to ensure a trouble-free recovery in the shortest timespan possible.

What You Can and Can’t Do After Cataract Surgery

• The important do’s and don’ts.
• The risks of rubbing your eyes after cataract surgery

The important do’s and don’ts

The better your cataract surgery aftercare, the less likely you are to experience any issues.

So, do…

• Take pain relief as instructed: You might only need this for a day or so, but it’s important to use it as it’ll make it far less likely that you’ll inadvertently rub an irritated eye.
• Clean your eye carefully: And practise exemplary cleanliness. Wash your hands thoroughly before doing so, use sterile cleansing pads, and only use the medications/wash/ointments, etc., that you’ve been provided with.
• Protect your eye from the elements: Wear sunglasses when outside and protect the eye from the wind. It’s really important to prevent any debris from going in your eye—therefore, sunglasses really will be your best friend for the first days and weeks.
• Use the eye straight away: Your brain has been used to receiving muted signals due to the cataract. It will take time for it to readjust to the clear passage of light through the eye once the cataract has been removed. This can only be learned by using the eye as normal. Read books, watch TV, use your computer, trace the horizon with your eyes… You’ll be encouraged to do this almost from the word go.
• Attend all your post-op appointments: Your surgeon wants to check that the healing process is progressing as planned. This can only take place during a face-to-face appointment, so don’t miss out.

And don’t…

• Mess unnecessarily with the eye or your face: Only touch the area when you’re carrying out essential cleanliness. Remember that an incision has been made into the tissue. This leaves an entry point for infection—and the risk of this is increased every time you touch it.
• Carry anything heavy or do anything that causes you to strain your muscles: This increases the pressure in the eye and can interfere with the healing process. It can even cause further trauma to the tissues if the pressure rises too high.
• Don’t bend forward for a few days/weeks: Again, this raises the pressure within the eye, so make sure you don’t do anything that means you need to bend down to floor level—at least for the first few days after surgery.

The risks of rubbing your eyes after cataract surgery

When it comes to rubbing your eye after cataract surgery, in a word—don’t! 

As well as the infection risk, there’s also a chance that you might damage the healing tissues, causing further damage— or, even worse, causing the artificial lens to move out of position (dislocate3).

In the event of a serious lens dislocation, the only thing for it is further surgery…. Which isn’t something that anyone wants to go through.

Contact the West Boca Eye Center Today for the Ultimate Treatment

The WBEC is renowned for providing cutting-edge cataract care. Led by one of the world’s foremost cataract experts, Brent Bellotte MD., the clinic offers the very latest cataract monitoring, advice, treatment options, patient care, and more.

Our ethos is that no patient should ever be unclear about their condition and how to manage it. When you undergo cataract surgery at the West Boca Eye Center, we’ll make sure you’re crystal clear about what you can and can’t do during your recovery.

From wondering if you can rub your eyes after cataract surgery to your post-op visits and onward care, we aim to over-deliver, each and every time.

Head to https://www.westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery for further info.