After cataract surgery: what to look out for at home? Are there any diet restrictions?
After cataract surgery patients should rest more in the early period; during recovery they should eat nutritious, easily digested food and plenty of fruit and vegetables to prevent constipation, and should avoid alcohol and irritating or hard food; when washing hair, avoid letting dirty water get into the eye, and use medicines and attend follow-up on time (Department of Health Elderly Health Service, accessed October 2026). For individual patients, the treating doctor's instructions prevail.
After cataract surgery: what to look out for at home?
Eye care after cataract surgery is set out in the table below (Department of Health Elderly Health Service, accessed October 2026); for individual patients, the treating doctor's instructions on post-operative arrangements prevail.
| Item | What the Elderly Health Service says |
|---|---|
| Rest | In the early period after surgery, rest more in bed so that the head and eyes can rest properly |
| Diet | During recovery, eat nutritious, easily digested food; eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to prevent constipation; avoid alcohol, and avoid irritating and hard food |
| Hair washing | Take care to avoid letting dirty water get into the eye |
| Medicines and follow-up | Use the medicines prescribed by the doctor on time, and attend follow-up appointments as scheduled until fully recovered |
Which specialty treats cataract? How is the timing of surgery decided?
Ophthalmology is responsible for vision problems and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye and surrounding tissues (Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Specialty Descriptions, April 2025).
Surgery is needed when cataract reduces vision and affects daily life and work; because every patient's condition is different, regular check-ups are needed, and when to operate is decided as instructed by the ophthalmologist; most patients only need surgery many years after cataract is found (Department of Health Elderly Health Service, accessed October 2026).
Primary care professionals should consider referring older adults with cataract whose vision is 6/18 or worse, or whose daily activities are affected, to an ophthalmologist to assess whether to operate (Primary Healthcare Commission, Preventive Care for Older Adults, Module on Visual Impairment, 2017; reviewed 2021).
Whether and when an individual patient has surgery is decided by the ophthalmologist according to the patient's condition.
Public or private? How do I check fees?
For waiting times and fees in the public sector, Project Vision and the private sector compared, see Cataract surgery: public, Project Vision or private; for private fees, see Cataract surgery fees compared; for the English name, see Cataract surgery; for choosing an ophthalmologist, see How to choose an ophthalmologist.
Frequently asked questions
After cataract surgery: what to look out for at home?
After cataract surgery patients should rest more in the early period; when washing hair, avoid letting dirty water get into the eye; use the medicines prescribed by the doctor on time and attend follow-up appointments as scheduled (Department of Health Elderly Health Service, accessed October 2026).
Are there any special diet restrictions after cataract surgery?
During recovery after cataract surgery it is advisable to eat nutritious, easily digested food and plenty of fruit and vegetables to prevent constipation, and to avoid alcohol and irritating or hard food (Department of Health Elderly Health Service, accessed October 2026). For individual patients, the treating doctor's instructions prevail.
Which specialty treats cataract?
Ophthalmology diagnoses and treats vision problems and eye diseases (Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Specialty Descriptions, April 2025); cataract needs regular check-ups, and the ophthalmologist decides when to operate (Department of Health Elderly Health Service, accessed October 2026).