After cataract surgery, your eye is on the mend, and there are some important dos and don’ts in the first week or so.
Eye shield: You’ll be provided a rigid shield (or sometimes goggles) to wear while sleeping – this is crucial for about 5–7 nights. Tape it over your eye at bedtime (and any time you nap). It prevents you from inadvertently rubbing or pressing your eye in your sleep, and also shields against curious pets or kids who might poke you. During the day, you typically don’t need to wear it (check your surgeon’s advice), but do wear sunglasses outdoors to protect against dust, wind, and bright light.
No rubbing: This is perhaps the #1 rule – do not rub or press on the eye for at least a few weeks. Rubbing can dislodge the delicate incision or the new lens position and also introduce germs. If your eye waters or itches, use a tissue to dab around (not on) the eye, or better yet, instill an artificial tear drop to soothe it instead of rubbing. Avoid eye makeup: for at least a week (some say two weeks, especially mascara). Cosmetics can carry bacteria or particles that you don’t want near a healing eye.
Keep water out of the eye: When showering, be cautious– for the first week, it’s recommended to keep your eye closed to avoid direct water splash, and certainly avoid swimming or hot tubs (which we’ll cover more). Don’t press on your eye when wiping your face; gentle patting is fine. Also, follow any specific instructions like if you have a plastic shield, how to clean it, etc.
Typically, by one week post-op, the incisions are healed enough that the risk of rubbing is less dire, but many surgeons advise continuing to avoid rubbing forever – rubbing eyes is generally bad even without surgery (can cause issues like corneal weakening). Think of your eye like a delicate surgery site (which it is) – treat it with TLC: no pressure, no contamination, and protect it at vulnerable times (night).
By adhering to these rules, you greatly minimize infection risk and help the eye heal in the proper shape and position.
