topic Re: Cataract surgery question about bending in Wellness

Cataract surgery question about bending

Havarti — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:33:55 GMT

Is there a restriction on bending following cataract surgery? If so, for how long? Is there anything else like this that you can think of that changes the ability to do daily activities?

NOTE to those ready to scold that I should talk with an eye doctor...it is only a general question and want input from these who have had the surgery, so not to worry. No need to reprimand OP or responders. Resist the urge to add your 2 cents.

TIA to those who respond with helpful info.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

daisy4 — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:40:16 GMT

My husband is scheduled to have cataract surgery in November. The doctor told him the only thing he has to do is wear an eye cup for a few days (rounded patch so it doesn't press on the eye) and use special eye drops for 30 days. Now that is based on his exam from his surgeon. I'm sure other people might have other restrictions based on their exams. Of course it is best to consult with the doctor. (Nothing was mentioned about "bending")

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

KingstonsMom — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:52:31 GMT

I've had both eyes done and I wasn't told anything about not bending.

My only restriction was, "Don't rub your eyes!".

For the first couple of weeks I slept in an eyemask, so I wouldn't rub them in my sleep.

Also make sure you have sunglasses when you're out in the sun, your eyes will be more sensitive to light for awhile.

It'll be the best thing you've ever done for yourself!

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

Kachina624 — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:41:45 GMT

I've had two cataract surgeries and there was no mention of restriction on physical activity including bending. Years ago, when my mom had this surgery, she was told not to bend, but this seems to have gone by the wayside.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

BARBIE100 — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:42:41 GMT

Each Dr. may have a different opinion with different cases. For the best answer, I would ask the Dr. that is doing your surgery.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

KingstonsMom — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:44:15 GMT

@Havarti

Loved the last part of your post, well said!

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

candyagain — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:55:27 GMT

I had cataract surgery (both eyes an month apart). I was told not to bend over for a few days (maybe a week) right after each surgery. So, just temporary.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

LuvmyLab — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:56:01 GMT

My husband had cataract surgery years ago and was told not to bend over to pick things up and don't lift anything heavy. I can't remember how long he had to do that for though. Sorry.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

Carmie — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 17:59:28 GMT

No restrictions for me, except to wear an eye cup to sleep with for a few nights. I sleep on my side with my face on my arm.

I had no problems and drove to my dr appt the next morning and then drove myself to work. No problems seeing.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

FrostyBabe1 — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:12:33 GMT

I was told not to play golf for 5 days after the surgery, partially because of all the bending over and partially because of just general motion. But I'd also had a retinal detachment previously in the same eye. Other than that, no restrictions.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

HLP — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:24:49 GMT

@Havarti wrote:
Is there a restriction on bending following cataract surgery? If so, for how long? Is there anything else like this that you can think of that changes the ability to do daily activities?

NOTE to those ready to scold that I should talk with an eye doctor...it is only a general question and want input from these who have had the surgery, so not to worry. No need to reprimand OP or responders. Resist the urge to add your 2 cents.

TIA to those who respond with helpful info.

I've had both eyes done 2 weeks apart, Came home only with a pair of very dark sun glasses they furnished, and told not to shower for a couple days. You can bathe in a tub, just no water going in your eyes.I had lazer surgery ,after a couple days got cheap readers at the drug store/' Was told nothing about bending down, but I think my neighbor was told that.Good luck, I found the whole precedure easy and no pain. Just have to watch the bright sun and light for awhile.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

ciao_bella — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:47:03 GMT

I think it depends on your eye doctor/surgeon. I had cataract surgery three weeks ago and was told not to bend or pick up anything that's heavier than 5 pounds. I had to wear an eye protector at night and not get any water in my eyes. All of these restrictions were for only about a week. I made sure my hair was washed the day before the surgery. I went to a salon to have my hair washed the week after surgery because you can make sure water doesn't get in your eye.

It's very important to remember to put all the eye drops in as often as it's required. You will have followup visits with your doctor to check on the eye. I had a followup the day after and then one week after that. I'm going tomorrow for another followup which will be three weeks since surgery.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

Scooby Doo — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:52:08 GMT

I had both eyes done last January just two days apart. I was told no bending for 24 hours and I wore the patch for two nights. If you are an eye rubber you probably should wear it longer.

I think it depends on how long ago people had the surgery and what instructions were given at the time. Methods have improved greatly and information has been updated. A week after I had mine done I scrubbed walls because I could now see the dirt. I've had no problems.

I also washed my hair while in the shower about 3 days after. I leaned back so that water didn't run in my face. The Dr. said that was ok. They just don't want you to do anything that causes you to rub your eyes.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

Meowingkitty — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 19:09:34 GMT

I didn't have a restriction on bending either but I did make my husband clean the litter boxes for a few days to avoid getting dust in the eyes. I wore protective glasses (you can buy them at Lowe's or Home Depot for under $10) when I showered. I have to wash my hair daily so I did shower the next day wearing the protective glasses.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

2blonde — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 19:09:13 GMT

@Havarti I had both eyes done in 2017. I was told not to lift anything heavier than 30 lbs for 24 hours. Heck, I can't lift 30 lbs anyway! I was supposed to tape the cup over the eye at bedtime for 3 days, but I sleep like a stiff and don't rub my eyes, so I didn't even do that.

After each surgery I could see well enough to drive home, but they make you have a driver because of the sedative. My sister dropped me off, and I was out riding my bike within an hour (with dark glasses because of the bright sun and the dilated pupil).

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

Havarti — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 20:22:45 GMT

Thank you all for your insight, tips, tricks and great ideas! So many things I had never thought of but come purely from the wisdom & resourcefulness of personal experience. That was exactly the perspective I was wanting.

Thanks, too, to all those who resisted the urge to tell me I should be asking the eye doctor or that one should not ask for medical info on the Internet.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

lulu1 — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 21:34:46 GMT

I had very few restrictions:

1. I wore an eye cup at night for a few days.

2. I could not drive until the doctor cleared me. In the first eye it was 2 days; the second eye it was the next day after my follow-up appointment.

3. No heavy lifting for a few days.

4. No eye rubbing or water in the eye.

Good luck....it was really uneventful. The result was as if someone had turned on the lights.

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

hckynut — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 21:02:02 GMT

@Havarti

Have had both eyes done. Left with a Multi-focal lens, Right with a Mono-focal lens. Was not told to avoid bending over with either surgery. Did not effect any of my activities, nor did I have either eye covered post surgery. Eye drops were a pain in the *** and that's about it, for me anyways.

hckynut

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

pattiewaddle — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 02:24:17 GMT

Husband and I had both of our eyes done weeks apart . Neither one of us were allowed to bend over for several days...Bought a grabber for picking up things advertised on T.v. of course you drop everything brush kleenex etc sure came in handy......

Re: Cataract surgery question about bending

shy bobcat — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 14:51:14 GMT

@2blonde

@2blonde wrote:
@Havarti I had both eyes done in 2017. I was told not to lift anything heavier than 30 lbs for 24 hours. Heck, I can't lift 30 lbs anyway! I was supposed to tape the cup over the eye at bedtime for 3 days, but I sleep like a stiff and don't rub my eyes, so I didn't even do that.

After each surgery I could see well enough to drive home, but they make you have a driver because of the sedative. My sister dropped me off, and I was out riding my bike within an hour (with dark glasses because of the bright sun and the dilated pupil).

@2blondeYour first paragraph gave me a chuckle, thank you!