How Long Should You Wait Before Exercising After Cataract Surgery?
With the surgeon’s approval, patients who have undergone a cataract surgery can resume most of their daily activities, including exercise, after one week, states Weston Eye Center. Patients are advised to avoid bending, heavy lifting and other strenuous activities for at least one week after a cataract surgery.
A cataract is an eye condition that causes opacity in the lens, explains the National Eye Institute. The symptoms of a cataract include cloudy vision, decreased color perception, poor night vision and double vision. Although it can be caused by exposure to toxic agents or trauma, most cases of cataract are related to aging. As of late 2014, more than 50 percent of Americans over the age of 80 have cataracts.
The symptoms of a cataract may be lessened with anti-glare sunglasses, new eyeglasses, magnifying lenses or brighter lighting, states the National Eye Institute. However, surgery is the only known cure for cataracts. There are two types of cataract surgery: phacoemulsification and extracapsular surgery.
A cataract surgery usually takes less than an hour and is commonly performed on an outpatient basis, according to the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. Postoperative patients are advised to avoid exposing their healing eye to water, grime, dust and other contaminants that might cause infection. Wearing eye makeup and pressing on the affected eye are also discouraged. It generally takes eight weeks for the operated eye to completely heal.
