The most common questions people have that has undergone cataract surgery is how they should sleep and what sleeping position they should use.
These questions is what I’m going to answer in this post.
You should avoid sleeping on the side that was operated on. Instead, you should sleep on your back or on the side that was not operated. Also, after some surgeries you might be advised to sleep raised up on pillows to reduce swelling. Most of the time, a plastic shield will be placed over your eye to prevent pressure as well.
Read on to learn more about sleeping after a cataract surgery.
What Position Should I Sleep in After a Cataract Surgery?
To reduce your risk of infection and irritation following surgery, sleep on your back or on the side of your eye that wasn’t operated on.
Your eye shield should assist your eye against serious harm if you toss and turn while you sleep. Make sure to wear your eye protection as instructed and do not remove it, not even at night.
How Can I Avoid Sleeping on a Certain Side?
You have a better chance of discovering a technique that works for you if you try a variety of approaches to help you learn to sleep on your side.
The easiest and most widely used technique is to merely place a pillow next to you. According to the theory, the pillow is meant to block you when you roll over. Place the pillow behind your back if you frequently turn over. Put the pillow beneath your arm in front of you if you tend to roll onto your stomach while sleeping. Some people may also position a pillow beneath or between the knees.
Another common practice is to attach a tennis ball with tape or sewing to the shirt you wear at night. The tennis ball should be placed in the front of the shirt for stomach sleepers and the back for back sleepers, just like the pillow. The tennis ball is so uncomfortable when you roll over that you automatically roll back to your side.
You might also try spending a few nights sleeping on a cot, air mattress, or a very narrow sofa. Because there is less room to move, this will teach your body to sleep on one side or on your back. Use this technique with caution if you toss and turn or are a heavy sleeper, though, since you might find yourself on the floor.
You can also consider looking at items designed to keep you on your side while you sleep. You can maintain your side posture with the use of lumbar pillows, multi-position pillows, or half-moon bolster pillows. To prevent you from lying on your back or stomach, even products that you fasten around your waist have foam supports. Positional sleep aids are the common name for these.
Can I Lay Down on The Affected Side After Cataract Surgery?
You should avoid sleeping on the side that had surgery in addition to wearing your eye protection at night. You can lower your risk of infection and hasten your healing by decreasing discomfort. This is why following cataract surgery, your doctor advises against sleeping on your side.
Do I Need to Sleep With a Protective Eye Shield?
Yes. Sleeping with a protective eye shield helps to prevent touching the eye, although having cataract surgery shouldn’t affect how you sleep. Rubbing your eye can make an infection more likely. For the first 24 hours, you should also avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye.
How Long do I Need to Sleep With a Protective Eye Shield?
While at home, you might be permitted to take your eye shield off but to protect your eyes, you should wear it at night for at least a week. Although it may take up to three months for your eye to fully recover from cataract surgery, full recovery should be finished in about a month.
