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I have not had shower and soap face washing for 2 weeks after cataract surgery, Can I do it now?

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gabe03481
gabe03481

I want to know whether I am okay to do a normal soap/shampoo shower. I had cataract surgery for both eyes (2wks differences). One eye was done a month's ago. the other one was two weeks' ago. I never had a normal shower for one month. My wife helped me to do hair shampooing. I used wet towel for face cleaning and body shower (below neck). Unfortunately, my wife just got COVID and I have to take care of my hygiene. I am going to try a normal shower tomorrow, but the following comment about the shower makes me concerned.

"keep your eyes closed and avoid getting any water or shampoo in your eye. If you do get anything in your eye, whether it’s shampoo or any other foreign body, it can potentially cause infection and other post-operative complications."

What did you do? I am worried about getting some water/soap in even though I carefully close my eyes while taking shower. My questions are

  • If I notice that some water/soap is in, what do I have to do?
  • After finishing a shower, how did you dry the water, especially near your eyes? Did you pressure your eyes to dry water?
  • Did you use a warm water or cold water for shower?

I do greatly appreciate if you can share your experience or provide any comments and suggestions.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • RonAKA
    RonAKA gabe03481

    Edited

    I showered including shampooing my hair the next morning after the day of my surgeries on my eyes. I just kept my back to the shower and kept my eyes closed. I don't recall getting any soap or water in my eyes. I used my normal quite warm shower temperature, and dried off by gently absorbing the water with a towel, and without rubbing the eye. I was taking the drops as per instructions. I suspect taking the drops exactly as prescribed is the best means of avoiding any infections and promoting the healing. I did not have any issues.

    • gabe03481
      gabe03481 RonAKA

      Posted

      Thanks, Ron for sharing your experience. I will mimic what you did. I finished drops for my left eye (1 month passed), while still taking two different drops for my right eyes (2 wks passed). My plan is to take drops before showering/shampooing tomorrow.

    • gabe03481
      gabe03481

      Posted

      I finally took shower and hair shampooing this morning. I purchased the shower face eye shields from Amazon and wore it while doing them. The shields works well, protecting my eyes from tap water. I feel refreshed.

  • Myope_PSC
    Myope_PSC gabe03481

    Posted

    My experience was just like Ron's. I think it was day 2 post-op for my first shampoo/shower though. I kept my eyes closed & gently absorbed the water around my eyes with a towel after. My post-op instructions said to avoid direct eye contact with tap water for 2 to 3 days. It also said no swimming for the first week.

    I think antibiotics are routinely used after cataract surgery the US & Canada. I don't think they're routinely used after cataract surgery in the UK for example so make sure you follow the post-op instructions from your particular surgeon.

    • gabe03481
      gabe03481 Myope_PSC

      Posted

      Thank, Myope for sharing your post-op experience. I will do exactly the same shower/hair washing tomorrow. I am in US and have used three different eye drops. I completed the eye drops for left eye (1 month passed) while still taking two drops for right eye (2 wks passed).

  • Beth-R
    Beth-R gabe03481

    Posted

    My most recent cataract surgery was February, 2022. I pulled out my instructions from the surgeon and they said for the first week following surgery NO water, chemicals, makeup, moisturizers or sweat in or around the eye. It was okay to shower as long as I did not get water near my eye (suggested keeping my back to the water. Also, I think he told me not to rub the eye during the first month.

    You should be safe to take a shower and wash your hair. You might want to do your best to keep the soap/shampoo away from the eye area in case it is not fully healed.

    My surgeon implanted the antibiotic medicine in my eye during surgery so I didn't have to use the eye drops everyone talks about. I had a black blotch, like a floater, that dissipated over the period of a month.

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