7 Things to Avoid During Presbyopia Surgery Recovery

A Safe Recovery Guide from Optometrist Jang Ho-wook at BGN Eye Clinic Jamsil

Hello, this is BGN Eye Clinic Jamsil.

This morning, a patient in his 60s walked into the consultation room and asked:
"Doctor, the presbyopia surgery went perfectly, so can I wash my face now? It was so frustrating not being able to yesterday."

We receive this kind of question very often. Just because the surgery was successful does not mean you can immediately return to your old routine. The eye is an incredibly delicate organ, and during the recovery phase, even the smallest irritation or habit can significantly impact the healing process.

To ensure successful vision correction, we have clearly outlined the 7 specific actions you must absolutely avoid during your presbyopia surgery recovery period.

1. Rubbing or Touching Your Eyes

For a few days after surgery, your eyes may feel slightly dry or itchy. Especially right after an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted, the eye might feel unfamiliar, leading some patients to say, "It feels like there's a foreign object in there," or ask, "Is it okay if I just press on it lightly?"

However, touching or rubbing your eyes during this period is highly dangerous. Even the slightest pressure can cause the surgical incision to open or lead to an infection.

This is particularly true if a multifocal IOL was implanted, as the eye is extremely sensitive to pressure changes during the initial stabilization phase. A minor irritation can cause the lens to shift or disrupt the focal point. In the clinic, we often see patients who return the next day with conjunctival redness or swelling simply because they absentmindedly rubbed an itchy eye.

Optometrist's Tip: When your eyes feel itchy or irritated, use artificial tears instead of your hands. Using refrigerated artificial tears can reduce irritation and alleviate swelling, making you feel much more comfortable. Please also maintain strict hand hygiene to prevent yourself from unconsciously touching your eyes.

2. Contact with Water (Washing Face, Showering, Sauna)

One of the most common questions post-surgery is, "When can I wash my face?" or "A little water splashed in my eye while washing my hair, is that okay?"

Immediately following presbyopia surgery, it is crucial to avoid direct contact between water and your eyes. Because the surgical site is not yet fully healed, bacteria or impurities in tap water can easily lead to infection or inflammation.

We generally recommend avoiding washing your face or showering for about 3 days. Even after that, you should begin by carefully wiping only the area around your eyes. When washing your hair, do not bend your head forward; tilt it backward like you would at a hair salon so the water flows down and away from your face.

You must also avoid environments with high temperature and humidity, such as saunas, steam rooms, and swimming pools, for one month, as they promote bacterial growth and increase the risk of eye inflammation.

Optometrist's Tip: Instead of washing your face with splashing water, gently wipe your face with a cleansing pad or a gauze soaked in lukewarm water. For the first week after surgery, please remember these three rules: Cleanliness + Dryness + Temperature Control.

3. Eye Makeup and Beauty Treatments (e.g., Lash Perms)

A few days post-surgery, many patients look in the mirror and think, "My eyes look fine now... maybe a little makeup won't hurt?" However, you must pause all eye makeup and beauty procedures during this period.

Fine particles from cosmetics like mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow can enter the eye and trigger inflammation or allergic reactions. Furthermore, makeup residue left behind after cleansing can serve as a direct irritant.

We recently treated a patient who developed conjunctivitis after getting an eyelash perm just one week after her surgery. Eyelash extensions, tints, and wearing cosmetic contact lenses all affect the mucous membrane, so it is safest to avoid them for at least 2 weeks.

Optometrist's Tip: If you must go out, apply light face makeup while leaving the eye area completely bare. Keep in mind that "recovery comes before beauty," and wait until your eyes are fully healed before resuming eyebrow grooming or eyelash treatments.

4. Prolonged Smartphone or TV Screen Time

As your eyes start feeling more comfortable, it is tempting to catch up on messages or watch the news on your smartphone. However, presbyopia surgery involves resetting the focusing system inside your eye.

The first few weeks post-surgery are a critical adaptation phase for this "new focal distance." If you stare at close objects like a smartphone for an extended period, the ciliary muscles that control focus will remain tense. This can easily fatigue the eye and cause your vision to become temporarily blurred.

Optometrist's Tip: When using a smartphone, please follow the '20-20-20 Rule': Every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Put your phone away before bedtime to give your eyes proper resting time. During recovery, 'eye rest' is far more important than 'eye exercise.'

5. Drinking and Smoking

"Doctor, is one or two drinks okay?" or "Can I just have one cigarette a day?" We hear this constantly. To be direct: alcohol and tobacco have a detrimental and direct impact on your recovery speed and infection risk.

Alcohol causes blood vessels to expand and contract, destabilizing the microcirculation in the eye and worsening dry eye syndrome. Toxic substances like nicotine in cigarette smoke constrict blood vessels and hinder the regeneration of epithelial cells around the cornea. We have seen cases where patients who continued smoking experienced a recovery period two to three times longer than normal.

Optometrist's Tip: You must strictly abstain from alcohol and smoking for at least 2 weeks. Caffeine from coffee or energy drinks can also dry out your eyes, so we recommend hydrating with mild fluids like water or barley tea during this time.

6. Sleeping on Your Stomach or Pressing on Your Eyes

Immediately after surgery, the internal structure of your eye is not yet fully stabilized. Sleeping on your stomach or applying pressure to the eyes can irritate the surgical site and exacerbate swelling.

Patients who received multifocal IOLs must be especially careful, as the focal point is still stabilizing. If your eyes are pressed against a pillow overnight, tear circulation is restricted, leaving your eyes feeling dry and cloudy in the morning.

Optometrist's Tip: For the first week after surgery, the best sleeping position is flat on your back facing the ceiling. Wearing a sleep mask or protective goggles to prevent unconsciously rubbing your eyes during the night is highly recommended.

7. Stopping Eye Drops Arbitrarily

When their eyes feel comfortable after a few days, many patients mistakenly assume they can stop using their prescribed eye drops. However, the eye drops used after presbyopia surgery do more than just prevent dryness; they are an extension of your treatment designed to prevent inflammation and block infections.

Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops only work properly when used for the prescribed duration and dosage. Even if your eye looks fine on the outside, the inside is still healing. Stopping the drops prematurely can cause micro-inflammation to recur.

Optometrist's Tip: Please strictly adhere to the frequency and duration prescribed by our medical staff. When applying multiple types of drops, wait 5 minutes between each one. Ensure that the tip of the bottle does not touch your eyelashes or eye to maintain hygiene.

Summary in One Sentence

For the first 2 weeks after presbyopia surgery, avoid "Hands, Water, Fatigue, and Heat"!

• Do not touch your eyes.
• Avoid direct water contact.
• Reduce eye fatigue.
• Stay away from heat sources.

While recovery from surgery is generally fast, a single small habit can alter the outcome. Strictly avoiding these actions during the first 2 weeks is the secret to the fastest and safest recovery.

If you experience persistent discomfort or blurred vision during your recovery, please do not endure it alone; feel free to visit BGN Eye Clinic at any time.