It is necessary to take bath for basic hygiene purposes but showering and washing hair after cataract surgery becomes a matter of concern for most people. Although once your eye shield is removed after the surgery you can shower and wash your hair. But there are many precautions you should keep in mind.
In this article, we will tell you about cataract, their symptoms, how the surgery takes place, its recovery time, and the Basic precautions while showering and washing hair after cataract surgery.
What is cataract
A cataract is an eye disease in which a cloudy dense area is formed on the lens of the eye. It is caused by the formation of protein clumps in the eye that restricts the lens from sending clear images to the retina. The basic function of the retina is to convert the light that passes through the lens and provide signals to the optic nerves. The optic nerve carries the signals of the retina to the brain.
Cataract progresses slowly and eventually disturbs the vision of a person. A person may develop cataracts in both eyes but normally it does not take place at the same time. Old people are more prone to it. According to the National eye institute trusted, almost half of the people in the United States have cataracts by the time they turn 80 years old.
Symptoms of cataract
Following are the common symptoms of cataract
- Colors turn faded
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to glare
- Trouble seeing at night
- Double vision
- Frequent eyesight change
- Halos surrounding lights
Cataract surgery
The function of the lens is to refract light coming towards the eye. Through cataract surgery, original lenses are removed when it becomes cloudy. A cataract is similar to looking through a dusty or foggy car windshield. Objects become blurred, dull, and faded.
To make your vision clear again the ophthalmologist mostly recommend cataract surgery. In the surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and a clear artificial lens is placed. This lens is known as an intraocular lens.
Gow long does cataract surgery take
You are not allowed to eat any food before six hours of the surgery. The doctors will numb your eyes with medicine or an injection around the eyes. You will be awake throughout the procedure but you cannot see what the doctor is doing.
Cataract removal surgery takes place in 30 to 45 minutes. After the surgery, they will take you to a recovery area for 30 minutes. Once you are recovered they will place a plastic eye shield to protect the eyes and you are ready to go home.
Cataract surgery recovery time
Although most people get a better version 1 to 3 days after surgery. However, full recovery requires 3 to 10 weeks. The doctor will send you home with a plastic eye shield to prevent any damage to the eye.
You will also be prescribed eyedrops for healing of the eye. In the starting days after the surgery, your vision will be bloody but after a few days, you will see a positive change in your vision.
Showering and washing hair after cataract surgery
24 hours after the surgery you can remove the shield and take shower. But before that, you should avoid taking a shower or washing your hair. Let the doctor examine your eyes properly after the surgery.
While taking the shower the water pressure should be shallow so the water does not enter your eyes. Take a mild chemical-free shampoo and slowly apply it to the scalp. The best way to prevent any mishap is you let someone else wash your hair in the sink. In this way, you can prevent water and shampoo from getting into your eyes.
After cataract surgery, you should avoid water, shampoo, or any other chemical getting into your eye. If you are scared to wash your hair with a shampoo you can use a dry shampoo. While using it keep your eyes close and it is best you let someone else do it for you.
Training eyes after cataract surgery
Even after cataract surgery, your eye needs plenty of time for healing. There are a few activities you should avoid to protect your eyes from damage.
- Heavy exercises
- Swimming
- Using cream and lotions on the face
- Touching or rubbing your eyes
- Dusting or gardening
- Visiting a sandy beach
- Using hot tubs or a steambath
- Hair coloring
- applying eye makeup
Eye shield after cataract surgery
Once the surgery is done the patient is discharged from the hospital with a plastic eye shield. This covering is necessary and is similar to an eyepatch. After the surgery, the eye should not be exposed to the world immediately.
To protect the eye from pollution and dust a plastic eye shield is placed. The shield is placed on the eye the following day of the surgery. To put the eyedrops solution in the eye you can remove it and then place it back.
You do not have to wear the plaster sheet for a long time period. Once your eye has completely recovered after the surgery and there are no signs of infection. In your doctor’s appointment, they will remove the shield after a day or two. However, while sleeping you can wear the shield for a week or more for full recovery of the eye. Before Showering and washing hair after cataract surgery you can remove the eye shield.
