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Everything you should know about diet after cataract surgery

K. Vishal March 30, 2023

Many people ask about what to eat after cataract surgery in order to avoid affecting their eyes' health specifically. To quickly recover health after cataract surgery, what foods should be avoided?

What is Your Diet After Cataract Surgery?

Eating food and taking nutritional diet after cataract surgery is essential for the patient's fast recovery and to prevent complications, particularly those affecting vision health.

Here are nutritional foods that should be included in your diet after cataract surgery:

Vitamin-A

Vitamin A-rich foods, also known as retinol, play an essential role in our visual process. Vitamin-A is necessary for clear vision in both dim and daylight and helps keep the integrity of epithelial tissues.

Sweet potato, kale, spinach, carrots, broccoli, mango, pumpkin, cantaloupe, bell peppers, lettuce, dairy products

Vitamin-C

Vitamin C, commonly called Ascorbic acid, is helpful in speedy recovery. It is most commonly found in fresh fruits and vegetables, but especially in citrus food items.

Oranges, Sweet lime, Strawberries, Kiwi, Plums, Guava, Broccoli, Bell peppers, Lemon, Papaya, Tomatoes and Potatoes.

Fibre-rich Foods

Constipation is most seen after surgery, so it becomes important to adopt a fibre-rich diet to regulate the bowel moment. Beans (kidney beans, Baked beans, Black eye beans), Berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries), Nuts, Seeds (Almonds, Walnuts, Chia seeds, Flax seeds), Legumes, Lentils, Broccoli, Quinoa, Oats, Apple, Whole grain bread.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are rich in iron to raise low levels and avoid anaemia.

spinach, kale, fenugreek, cabbage, lettuce, spirulina, broccoli.

Spices

Helps boost our immune system and works as an anti-inflammatory property. Cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, pepper, fennel, cinnamon.

Water

After surgery, consuming 2 to 3 litres of water per day is important, depending on your body type. Because water is essential to metabolism, metabolism helps the body quickly heal from injuries and eliminate waste.

Foods to Avoid After Cataract Surgery

Patients need to be careful to avoid the following foods after cataract surgery, especially those with diabetes, in addition to supplementing some important nutrients.

Refined Carbohydrates

White flour, Pastries, White bread, White rice, Pasta, and Chips.

Excessive Sugar

Desserts, Breakfast cereals (preserved), and Canned beverages.

Salts

Table salts and Red pepper

Alcohol and Tobacco

Wine, Beer, Rum, Cigarettes, etc.

Things to Remember After Cataract Surgery

In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, individuals after cataract surgery should be aware of the following information to protect their general health and eyesight health specifically, as well as to prevent any unfavourable complications:

For the first several days after surgery, keep soap and chemicals out of your eyes. Avoid environments with too much light, perspiration, and dust. To shield your eyes and keep glare from entering them, you can wear sunglasses during the day. Before applying eye drops, make sure to carefully clean the area around your eyes and wash your hands. Do not rub or scratch your eyes.

Use a fresh towel dipped in ice water to cover your eyes after cataract surgery to aid eye relaxation and rest. Prevent working out too hard, carrying big objects, and strenuous labour. Avoid using electronic devices, such as computers, TVs, and screens, for more than three hours at a time. Refrain from becoming upset or harshly touched because tears will hurt your eyes. 

After cataract surgery, the patient should concentrate on eating a healthy diet, including the addition of foods like fish and vegetables that are high in protein, Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that are good for the eyes.

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