Quick Answer
The day after cataract surgery, most patients should avoid doing computer work or other visually demanding tasks. Cataract surgery is a relatively quick outpatient procedure, but patients still need to allow their eyes to heal and adjust in the first 24 hours post-op. Straining the eyes by staring at a computer screen can cause issues like eye discomfort, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and trouble focusing. It’s best to take the first day easy and not do activities requiring prolonged concentration.
Can I Use My Computer and Read After Cataract Surgery?
Many patients wonder when they can resume normal activities like using a computer, reading, and watching TV after cataract surgery. Here are some general guidelines:
Day of surgery: Avoid looking at screens, reading, and other visual tasks. Rest your eyes as much as possible.
Day after surgery: You may look at screens briefly but limit computer use and reading to 5-10 minutes at a time. Take frequent breaks to close your eyes. Don’t do anything requiring prolonged concentration.
2-3 days after: You can start increasing computer use and reading time to 20-30 minutes at a stretch. Pick activities that don’t strain the eyes too much.
1 week after: Most patients can resume computer tasks, reading, and viewing screens for an hour or longer at a time. But take breaks as needed and stop if you feel eye discomfort.
2 weeks after: Vision should be greatly improved by this point. You may use computers and do light office work with minimal restrictions, though reading glasses may be needed initially.
The most critical visual healing takes place in the first week post-surgery. Easing back into computer tasks gradually reduces the risk of complications. Always follow your surgeon’s specific advice on appropriate activities after cataract surgery. Never force your eyes to do tasks that cause pain or issues like blurry vision.
Why Limit Computer Use After Cataract Surgery?
There are a few reasons why doctors recommend restricting computer work and reading after cataract surgery:
1. Eye discomfort and fatigue: Your eyes will likely feel gritty and tired after surgery. Staring at a screen can worsen eye strain and sensations of pressure or aching around the eyes.
2. Blurry vision: Your vision may be blurry initially as your eyes adjust to the new artificial lens implant. Looking at detailed screens can be challenging.
3. Trouble focusing: You may have difficulty focusing up close or seeing fine details like text during the healing process. This makes computer work requiring sustained concentration difficult.
4. Light sensitivity: Your eyes may be more sensitive to light after surgery. Looking at bright computer and device screens can be uncomfortable or cause squinting.
5. Rubbing and irritation: Working at a computer may make you unconsciously rub your eyes, which can irritate the incisions.
6. Delayed visual recovery: Overworking your eyes too soon can disrupt the visual recovery process and prolong visual symptoms.
Following doctor’s orders and taking it easy after surgery allows your eyes to properly mend. This paves the way for the best possible vision in the weeks ahead.
Tips for Using Computers After Cataract Surgery
Once your ophthalmologist clears you to start using your computer again, keep these tips in mind:
- Use artificial tear drops to lubricate your eyes if they feel dry or irritated.
- Wear sunglasses or anti-glare glasses to reduce light sensitivity.
- Adjust your computer settings to decrease brightness and increase text size for easier reading.
- Take frequent breaks to rest your eyes – follow the 20/20/20 rule (every 20 minutes, look away at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
- Blink regularly to keep your eyes hydrated.
- Don’t rub or touch your eyes, even if they itch.
- Use proper posture and ergonomics when sitting at your workstation.
- Ask your doctor when you can resume detail-oriented tasks like accounting work and computer coding.
- Stop computer use if you have any pain, double vision, discharge or worsening symptoms.
With some adjustments and precautions, most patients can comfortably resume computer tasks within 1-2 weeks after cataract surgery. Be sure to communicate with your ophthalmologist about your visual symptoms and discuss when you can increase computer use. Don’t overdo it too soon after surgery.
When Can I Return to Work After Cataract Surgery?
When you can go back to work depends on your job duties and the amount of visual tasking required. Here are some general timelines:
- Desk jobs: 1 week if your job involves a lot of computer work or reading. 2-3 days if your tasks don’t require sustained concentration.
- Driving: You cannot drive immediately after surgery. Wait at least 1 week, and ask your doctor when it’s safe.
- Manual labor: Avoid strenuous activity for at least 1 week. Discuss with your doctor when you can return to construction, manufacturing or other physically demanding jobs.
- Child or elder care: Do not care for young children or older adults until your doctor confirms your vision has stabilized, around 2 weeks.
For office work requiring prolonged computer use or meticulous attention to detail, you may need to take up to 2 weeks off or work restricted hours initially. Discuss accommodations with your employer. For jobs with high visual demands, it may take a full month before you can perform all duties without limitation after cataract surgery.
Driving After Cataract Surgery
Driving is restricted after cataract surgery until your ophthalmologist confirms your vision meets the legal requirements for operating a motor vehicle. Usually this is about 1 week post-op, but could take longer. Here are some tips for driving after cataract surgery:
- Get approval to drive from your eye doctor first.
- Start by driving familiar, easy routes with light traffic.
- Drive during the daytime at first before attempting night driving.
- Wear sunglasses to control glare.
- Use proper rearview mirrors, side mirrors and blind spot monitoring.
- Allow extra distance between you and the car in front of you.
- Avoid complicated driving situations like heavy traffic or bad weather.
Visual recovery is gradual after cataract surgery. Take it slow getting back to driving and don’t take risks until your eyesight has stabilized. Always place safety first.
When Can I Read After Cataract Surgery?
Your ability to read print will be limited immediately after cataract surgery but should improve quickly over the following weeks. Here’s a general timeline:
- Day of surgery: Avoid reading. Rest your eyes.
- 1-3 days after: You may read large print for 5-10 minutes at a time.
- 1 week after: Read for increased periods, up to 30 minutes with breaks.
- 2 weeks after: Most patients can read small print for an hour or longer.
- 1 month after: Reading endurance should be nearly normal.
Reading too soon may cause eye strain, fatigue, and temporary regression in visual gains. Go slowly and take frequent rest breaks when reading. Position reading material below eye level to reduce discomfort. If you experience blurriness, use magnifying glasses or other low vision aids. Discuss any reading difficulties with your ophthalmologist.
Conclusion
The day immediately after cataract surgery, avoid prolonged computer work, reading or other visually demanding tasks. Your eyes need time to start healing before they can handle the strain. Slowly increase use of computers, phones and reading over the first week as your vision allows. Most patients can resume light office work within a week and computer work with minimal restrictions in 2 weeks post-op. Discuss your job duties and timing for returning to work with your eye doctor. With patience and by limiting visual stimulation early on, your eyes will adjust well and vision can significantly improve in the weeks following cataract surgery.