What Food To Avoid After Eye Surgery: Tips For Recovery
After you have eye surgery, what you eat can help you feel better and heal faster. Eating the right foods will help your eyes recover, but some foods can make it harder for your eyes to heal. This guide will tell you what food to avoid after eye surgery and what will help you feel better faster.
Eye Surgery Recovery Process
After eye surgery, your eyes need time to get better. This time is called the recovery process. Let’s talk about what happens after surgery and how to take care of your eyes.
The First Few Days
After surgery, your eyes might feel a little sore or tired. This is normal, and your eyes will feel better soon. It’s important to rest your eyes and listen to your doctor.
Keep Your Eyes Clean
Your doctor may tell you to keep your eyes clean. Don’t rub or touch your eyes. If your eyes feel itchy or something is in them, ask your doctor for help. You may need eye drops to keep your eyes moist and help them heal.
Eating Healthy Foods
Eating the right foods helps your eyes heal faster. Healthy, colourful foods are good for your eyes. Try to avoid foods that can slow down your healing.
Protect Your Eyes
You will need to protect your eyes after surgery. Your doctor might give you sunglasses or an eye shield to wear. Wear them outside to keep dust and sunlight away from your eyes.
Follow-Up Visits
After your surgery, you will need to return to your doctor for check-ups. These visits are important so your doctor can see how your eyes heal. Don’t miss any of your appointments.
How Long Will It Take To Heal?
It can take different amounts of time for everyone to heal. You should start feeling better in a few days. But it might take a few weeks for your eyes to feel fully healed. Be patient and listen to your doctor’s suggestions. You will be able to see clearly soon!
Things To Avoid During Recovery
There are some things you should not do while your eyes heal:
Don’t rub your eyes.
Don’t lift heavy things.
Keep water out of your eyes when you shower.
Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay.
By following these tips and taking care of yourself, your eyes will heal faster.
Why You Should Be Careful About Food After Eye Surgery
Eating good food helps your body heal after surgery. Your body needs certain nutrients to improve your eyes and body. These nutrients can help with things like healing and reducing swelling. But some foods can make healing slower or harder for your eyes.
Types Of Eye Surgery That Need Healthy Food For Healing
After any eye surgery, eating healthy foods is very important for your eyes to heal. Different types of eye surgery need specific care to make sure your eyes heal fast and well. Let’s look at a few types of eye surgery and how healthy food can help with the recovery process.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery removes cloudy areas in the eye. After the procedure, the eye needs time to heal. What you eat after cataract surgery can help your eyes recover and give your body the necessary vitamins to heal quickly.
Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery helps people who wear glasses or contacts to see better. After LASIK, your eyes may feel dry or tired. A healthy and balanced diet might keep your eyes moist and healthy. Eating protein-rich foods like chicken or fish also helps your eyes heal faster.
Glaucoma Surgery
People with glaucoma might need surgery to lower the pressure in their eyes. After this surgery, you need foods that support eye health. Eating healthy fats can help lessen inflammation and promote healing. Leafy green vegetables are also important because they can support your eye health.
Let’s talk about the foods to avoid and the ones to eat after eye surgery to help your recovery go well.
What Food To Avoid After Eye Surgery
There are some foods that you should stay away from because they can make your healing slower or harder. Let’s look at those foods.
Processed Foods And Junk Food
Processed foods and junk foods like chips, fast food, and snack cakes don’t help your body heal. They are full of unhealthy fats and sugar, which can make your blood pressure go up and cause swelling. These foods are not good for your eyes.
Deep Fried Foods
Fried foods, like fried chicken and fries, have a lot of unhealthy fats. These fats can make swelling worse and slow down healing. It’s better to eat grilled, baked, or steamed food instead.
Sugar-Rich Foods And Drinks
Candy, cookies, and soda contain a lot of sugar. Too much sugar can slow healing and cause swelling. Try to avoid sugar-rich foods while you recover.
Sodium-Rich Foods
Salty foods, like canned foods, frozen meals, and chips, make your body hold onto extra fluid and exacerbate swelling. It’s better to eat fresh, healthy foods with little or no added salt.
Alcohol
Alcohol can make your blood pressure go up and stop your body from optimal healing. It’s best not to drink alcohol while you are healing from surgery.
Citrus Fruits
Fruits like oranges and grapefruits are healthy. But if you eat too much of them after surgery, they can make your eyes feel uncomfortable. If you want vitamin C, eat other fruits and vegetables.
Refined Carbs
Foods like white bread, pasta, and pastries are made with refined flour. These foods don’t help your body heal and can make swelling worse. It’s better to eat whole grains like brown rice and whole-wheat bread.
Unhealthy Fats
Foods with unhealthy fats can make swelling worse and stop your body from healing. Try to get healthy fats from olive oil and avocados instead.
How Alcohol Affects Eye Surgery Recovery
Alcohol can affect your recovery after eye surgery. It can increase inflammation, dehydrate your body, and slow down the healing process. It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol for a few weeks after surgery to give your body the best chance to heal properly.
If you do drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Also, always consult your doctor to make sure it won’t interfere with your recovery.
Foods To Eat For Fast Healing
Instead of the foods listed above, some foods are good for you after eye surgery. These foods will help you heal and make your eyes feel better.
Green Vegetables
Green vegetables like spinach, kale, and lettuce are good for your eyes. They have lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect your eyes from damage and help them heal.
Protein-Rich Foods
Eating chicken, fish, beans, and tofu will help your body heal and repair itself. Protein is very important for fixing the tissue around your eyes after surgery.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Salmon, tuna, and walnuts contain omega-3, which reduces swelling and keeps eyes healthy. Omega-3s are very good for your recovery.
Vitamin C-Rich Foods
Berries, kiwis, and red bell peppers have a lot of vitamin C. This helps your body heal and protects your eyes.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats, found in avocados, nuts, and seeds, help your body heal faster. They also keep your heart and eyes healthy.
Sweet Potatoes And Beta-Carotene
Sweet potatoes help your body make vitamin A. As a result, you see better and keep your eyes healthy.
Vitamin E-Rich Foods
Vitamin E helps protect your eyes and reduce swelling. It is really good for your eyes as they heal. You can find vitamin E in foods like almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, and avocados. Eating these foods will help your eyes heal better and keep them healthy.
Foods That Support Vision Long-Term After Surgery
Eating healthy foods after eye surgery is essential. But continuing to eat well can help maintain your vision in the long term.
Some foods that support your eye health even after recovery include:
Carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash help maintain good vision.
Blueberries and blackberries contain antioxidants that protect your eyes from damage.
Kale and collard greens contain lutein and zeaxanthin. These can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Eggs contain zinc and lutein. These vitamins protect your eyes from harmful light and reduce the risk of eye disease.
Adding these foods to your diet can preserve your eye health long after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long should I avoid sugar after eye surgery?
It’s a good idea to avoid sugary foods and drinks while you heal. Too much sugar can cause swelling and make it harder for your body to recover. Try to stay away from sugary snacks for a few weeks after your surgery.
What should I eat to reduce inflammation after eye surgery?
To help with swelling, eat foods like salmon, mackerel, and chia seeds, which have healthy fats. Add berries, green leafy vegetables, and green tea for their antioxidants. Spices like turmeric and ginger are also great for reducing swelling.
How can I ensure I’m eating a balanced diet after eye surgery?
To eat healthy, eat:
Lean meats like chicken or fish
Whole grains like brown rice or quinoa
Healthy fats from foods like avocados and nuts
Eat many fruits and vegetables to be sure your body gets everything it needs to heal well.
Can I drink coffee during my recovery after eye surgery?
You can have coffee, but only a little. Too much coffee can dry you out and make it harder for your body to heal. Be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Why is hydration important after eye surgery?
Water helps your body heal by carrying oxygen and nutrients to where needed. Drinking enough water every day is an easy way to help your recovery go well.
Can I take supplements after eye surgery to speed recovery?
If your meals don’t have essential nutrients, your doctor might suggest taking vitamins like vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, or zinc. Talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins to make sure they are safe for you.
The Bottom Line
What you eat after eye surgery is very important for your healing. Avoiding junk food and eating healthy food can help your eyes heal faster and better.
Make sure to follow your doctor’s advice and eat lots of healthy foods to get back to feeling your best!
We value your healing. If you have questions about eye surgery or need advice on recovering well, we’re here in Melbourne to help.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sources:
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Cleveland Clinic 2022. Eye Surgery. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24546-eye-surgery [Accessed November 18, 2024]
Francisco S G, Smith K M, Aragonès G, Whitcomb E A, Weinberg J, Wang X, Bejarano E, Taylor A & Rowan S 2020. Dietary Patterns, Carbohydrates, and Age-Related Eye Diseases. Nutrients 12, 2862. 10.3390/nu12092862
Pedersen T 2023. What Food and Substances Should You Avoid After Cataract Surgery? Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-not-to-eat-after-cataract-surgery [Accessed November 18, 2024]
Taylor M 2023. 11 Tips for Eating for Glaucoma. HealthCentral. Available at: https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/glaucoma-diet-nutrition-tips [Accessed November 18, 2024]
