Cataract op washing face afterwards!

[Engima]

Hi, has anyone got any tips on how to go about washing one's face and hair after cataract op as mustn't get water into the eye for around two weeks. Unfortunately I have such a small bathroom there is no room for a shower, which might have helped with the hair washing!

[floki7]

Have you tried using an eye shield ?

[Hidden]

As Floki suggested I used an eye shield which they place on your eye after op and you sleep with it on too. I then got a small food bag and placed it onto the shield then with zinc oxide tape ( purchased from superdrug) taped the whole contraption to my face . It was not pretty, I looked ridiculous but it worked and I carried on doing that for the whole month as I was petrified I would get water in my eye.

[Engima in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Op is this Monday. Will see if I can rig something up with the eye shield for washing my face and hair.

[Hidden in reply to Engima]

I also used a wash cloth to tentatively wipe round my face and tried not to go near my eye area. I cleaned round eye with cooled boiled water and a cotton pad and wiped down the way which is what eye clinic recommended. My partner also washed my hair initially but he was rubbish at it and I was very bad tempered !!!!

[floki7 in reply to Hidden]

😂

[Wales99]

Bless you it is a challenge. I’m 7 weeks post-Trab & still find it a challenge. I’m just too scared to wash my hair without protection on my eye. Like others have said I still use the eye shield & cover my face with so much plastic it’s ridiculous. Also backwash if you can. With washing my face I just dampened a face flannel & wiped very carefully around the eye. Have you got anyone to help you? My husband washed my hair for me the first couple of times which was hilarious. 😊.

[Engima in reply to Wales99]

Hi. Will try the eye shield after my op. I thought about using a flannel but not the same as splashing one's face with water, especially in the morning to wake one's self up! I thought that I would wash my hair the day before the op (which is on Monday) and then try dry shampoo for a couple of weeks. Could ask my husband but can just imagine the fun we would have!

[Wales99 in reply to Engima]

Yes dry shampoo is a Godsend! I bought Pantene No Water. It’s a mousse - you do have to dry your hair with a hairdryer afterwards & it is a bit sticky but it smells really nice! Good luck with the op. Xx

[nat10]

After my ops I used cleansing face wipes and dry shampoo, not brilliant but was ok for a couple of weeks, until more confident to back wash it in the bath.

[Engima in reply to nat10]

I have some face cleanser that I could try plus dry shampoo - so could well end up with those for a couple of weeks.

[Jennymary]

With regard to washing your face, just don't go anywhere near the eye that was operated on, it won't hurt given the reasons for not going near that eye, I'd wash my hair the day before or depending on what time you have to be at the hospital, wash it in the morning before you go, then I'd leave, it until the hospital say you can wash it again, (I've got a, tender head and hate washing my hair or having it cut), good luck with the op

[Engima in reply to Jennymary]

Thanks Jennymary. Will definitely be avoiding washing near the eye that has been operated on until the time is up (they said two weeks). Like you I am going to wash my hair before the op and then leave it until the two weeks are up. Luckily my hair is long and can be tied back!

[Redshoes15]

I used a flannel round the eye area as others have suggested. As for washing my hair, I got a stool and lay backwards on it over the bath while my husband washed my hair and I protected my face with a towel. It was hilarious and very uncomfortable - he had to help me up off the stool so you definitely need two of you to undertake this! xx

[Engima in reply to Redshoes15]

Washing your hair certainly sounded like fun,

[Redshoes15 in reply to Engima]

Must admit the first proper shower I had when my eye was healed felt sooooo good! xxx

[Lindfieldtommy]

I found using the eye shield covered almost completely with lots of micro tape helped a lot. I also had a flannel to hand so I could dry off any water that I felt was going anywhere my eye. Good luck with whichever way you choose to wash you hair, the first two or three times are scary but it does get easier as you get more confident.

[Engima in reply to Lindfieldtommy]

Thanks - as you say scary at first but hopefully will soon get used to it.

[Sunshine88888888]

Hi Enigma I was really nervous of washing my hair! When I felt I had to I used the eye shield well taped to my face, had a towel nearby in case I felt any drips get near to my eye, stood under shower on low power and just took my time. I used baby shampoo as well! Worried as I was, it was fine, just got to be organised, I’m sure you will manage it x

[Engima in reply to Sunshine88888888]

Hi. Good to hear from you again. Obviously you can see now after your op - I thought about you all day. x