Stretching and exercising after cataract ops

[711debbie]

Hi! I did skim this site to see if anyone recently asked about my question, but didn't see anything. I have cataract operations on 12 and 19 June (I also have high IOP but generally below 21; I'm astigmatic (which the ops should correct), and a form of strabismus, where my eye muscles don't line up properly and give me double vision on eye tests. I am 73.

Every morning I do some stretching exercises, including mat work, and every evening I walk/dance to a "walking" video on YouTube for 20-30 minutes. I keep on reading that you shouldn't exercise for a month after the operations, but I am wondering how some of you kept reasonably fit during that time period. Can I do nothing more than walking (can I walk/dance to music on YouTube?) and walking up and down steps? I don't see the harm in balance exercises, but should I really refrain from squats and wall push ups? If it's relevant, my doctor said not to lift over 10 kgs.

Your advice and experiences would really be appreciated.

[primroserose]

hi Debbie I’m 70 and have been worrying over the same quandry, my first cataract op is 29 May to be followed shortly after by the other eye. Reason for ops is extremely narrow angles (last IOP was 9/11) my exercise is ashtanga yoga so my teacher is saying 6 - 8 weeks. The eye hospital doctor said no exercise for 1-2 weeks then it should be ok but no inversions or heavy lifting. Initially I will be looking to purposefully walking including hills and gentle stretches with head above the heart. I guess we need to trust the fitness we have will see us through, but the possibility of no exercise for 4 months or more whilst both eyes are treated and healed is I agree scary. But so is the possibility of no sight!

[711debbie in reply to primroserose]

Thanks, your advice was useful, and I hope maybe both of us will get even more advice if I get even more answers. I don't want balance problems or any return of sciatica problems from not moving around enough because I'm worried about the eye pressure.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Debbie,

I can't see an issue with your exercise routine. Just try and avoid any exercises that cause your head to be below your heart as this can raise the eye pressure. Regarding using weights, any weight that causes you to hold your breathe to lift it should be avoided. Holding your breathe causes the eye pressure to rise. Light weights are fine and can be just as beneficial.

[711debbie in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks! I'm so grateful for your help because I was afraid of all kinds of other problems from not being able to do much besides walk.

[CTinUS]

Hi Debbie,

I just had cataract surgery on my left eye yesterday and I’m following the directions to only walk and refrain from anything that jars the head (no running or elliptical) or increases pressure or causes strain (no bending, lifting anything heavy, or pushups). I’d advise doing that for the couple of weeks after at least.

I had cataract surgery on my right in 2021 and I’m one of those people who developed a detached retina a year later and macular pucker two years after that. I’m told that’s two of the three “bad outcomes” that can happen with cataract surgery.

I don’t mean to frighten you but want to share my thought that it’s worth being especially careful for a relatively short time. It’s my understanding that the first few days are most critical because the cataract needs to “set,” sort of like a nice stone in cement.

Before the detached retina I ran and spent a good amount of time in the gym, and since then have focused more on long-distance walking. Finished a 50K “race” not too long ago!

I hope everything goes well with your surgeries and recoveries!

[711debbie in reply to CTinUS]

Thanks so much for "slightly" scaring me; as you can see, "primroserose" above also wants to know what she can do. Your description of a "nice stone in cement" is really useful since I teach English for Civil Engineering! I will take it easier for a few weeks. In 2017, I had a bad fall and stopped my exercise for awhile (but did cause problems with my sciatica), so I'll try to balance my need to exercise with the need to set that stone in cement.

Any more advice from anyone is still welcome!