Re: Riding after cataract surgery

On 1/22/2025 11:44 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

On Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:24:20 -0600, Mark J cleary
<mcleary08@comcast.net> wrote:
 

I figure someone in the group has had cataract surgery. Were you able to
keep riding you bike right after surgery if you wanted? I did after my
retinal detachment but just went easy. I hoping the dr will allow me to
spin indoors at least. RIght now no riding outside any how nasty deep
freeze.

 I had cataract surgery in Jan 2024.  I was warned to avoid any kind of
activity that involved head vibration or shock.  Bicycle riding wasn't
mentioned, but jogging, operating vibrating power tools, horseback
riding, etc were on the banned list.  My guess(tm) is cycling would
have been acceptable as long as you ride on smooth pavement and don't
crash.  I don't recall for how long a period this involved.  It was
either 2 or 3 months after the last surgery.
 Besides bouncing down the road, increasing IOP (intra ocular pressure)
through exercise is a bigger problem.  Typically, the IOP increases a
few hours after surgery and stays high for a day or two.  Mine stayed
high for about 5 days.  It was easy for me to tell because my normal
astigmatic vision magically fixed itself as the eyeball returned to a
spherical shape.  Too bad it didn't last.  Anyway, if you're prone to
glaucoma, ask to the doctor, not me.
 "When can I start exercising after cataract surgery?"
<https://www.opticalexpress.co.uk/magazine/article/when-can-i-start-exercising-after-cataract-surgery>
"You should avoid strenuous exercise, such as cycling after cataract
surgery for a minimum of four weeks."
 More net wisdom:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=cataract%20surgery%20bicycle%20riding>
 I had some problems with the month long eye drop regime.  I suggest
you follow the ordeal process and not miss any eye drop applications.
I was thoroughly confused trying to remember which bottle and which
eye to apply the drops.  I ended up color coding the bottle and taping
the chart to my bathroom mirror.  Whatever works and don't skip on the
eye drops.  The end results were worth the eye drop ordeal.
 

My eye pressure on the whole sits at the lower edge of normal last week I was in and is was 10 in both eyes. 10-21 is considered normal. The week before that it was 10 and 13. When I had my retinal surgery is was all ok expect one reading 2 weeks later got 27. THe dr was not worried and sure enough it was 15 the next week.So now that eye it has been a consistent 10 maybe that is a good thing.
--
Deacon Mark