Are there long term physical restrictions after cataract surgery?

[AlanRamirez]

I am 45 years old and will be having cataract surgery in my LEFT EYE in March.

In 2012 I had a retina detachment in the left eye. After the retina detachment, scleral buccal, and vitrectomy a subcapsular cataract formed in my LEFT EYE. My corrected vision in my left eye is 20/60 with the cataract.  The doctor recommended cataract surgery and a Toric IOL. I will be wearing a contact lens in the right eye during the day.

While I'm 45 years old I am still fairly active. I have a daily yoga practice, I hike and run, cross-train in the gym, and longboard surf occasionally. These activities contribute to my quality of life.

I have been informed that physical activity should be limited for the first two weeks after surgery - e.g. no forward bending.

My question for doctors and others on the forum who have gone through a similar cataract surgery pertain to if doctors recommend limiting physical activities on a long term basis:

1) Do doctors recommend limiting physical activities for the long run after cataract surgery or can patients pretty much live a normal active life?

2) Any limits on activities like the ones I enjoy above: yoga, hiking/running, cross-training in the gym, longboard surfing. I already avoid inversions like head stands while doing yoga due to the prior retina detachment.

3) My understanding is that Toric lenses are precisely placed in the eye. Does this mean there is a risk of physical activities causing the lens to displace?

Any expert opinions or shared experiences would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Best of luck and a very nice exercise program.
JC MD

[AlanRamirez]

Thank  you for your response Dr. Hagen. I will confirm with my surgeon.

~Alan

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. Generally most activities of daily living are resumed next day after surgery, physical activity is usually not restricted at all after 4-6 weeks. 2. when you're "released' you should be able to do all those  3. The toric will not be affected by those activities.

Confirm with your surgeon

JCH MD