Mr Venki Sundaram
 Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
 MD FRCOphth MRCOphth BMBCh BSc Harpenden / Cobham Clinic: 01582 714451 Bushey: 0208 901 5561

How to Make the Most of Winter Sports and Exercise After Cataract Surgery

Man skiing

If you are an active person who regularly enjoys partaking in sports and exercise, the thought of any type of surgery and the recovery time that comes with it may be scary. However, when it comes to eye surgery, there is a silver lining; you can see much better afterwards! Sports and exercise can be dangerous if your vision is not at its best, so surgery will help your performance, rather than hinder it.  

As we get into the full swing of winter, it is also the peak season for skiing and snowboarding. If this is an annual tradition of yours, you may be concerned about how you are going cope if you are due to have eye surgery. However, there are plenty of ways you can still get back on the slopes and make the most of winter sports and exercise following cataract surgery.  

Follow your surgeon’s advice 

As a standard procedure, you will be instructed on how to manage your recovery after cataract surgery. It is important that you consult your surgeon if you are travelling or plan on doing anything active that may have not been mentioned.  

Apart from any specifics they may mention, it is crucial that you stick to the required recovery time and don’t miss your follow up appointment. This ensures the recovery process runs smoothly and that there are no complications.  

TIP: When travelling abroad, check your insurance to make sure it will still be valid. 

Protect your eyes 

Protecting your eyes during the winter is beneficial to general eye health, whether at home or in the French Alps. However, there are extra precautions that may be necessary when taking part in winter sports.  

  • Wear sunglasses or ski goggles – this will protect your eyes from harsh sunlight and strong winds.  
  • Apply eye drops – especially if recommended in the recovery process as well as if they appear sore or dry. 
  • Stay hydrated – it is easy to become dehydrated when exercising. Therefore drinking plenty of water will benefit your overall wellbeing as well as your eye health.  

Your new lease of life after surgery… 

Although it may seem a scary thought to travel and endure an active holiday so soon after eye surgery, there are actually many benefits which will be sure to give you a new lease of life when you’re away.  

With your new and improved eyesight, you will now be able to fully take in and appreciate the stunning views of snowy mountains and frosted tree tops. Your safety when skiing or snowboarding will also improve as there is less risk of falling or injuring yourself due to blurred vision. Plus, you will be able to use the facilities and access ski lifts much better. With more positives than negatives, this just proves that you can still enjoy travelling following eye surgery. 

Get in touch 

If you are in need of cataract surgery or have any further questions, Venki Sundaram is a trusted surgeon who would be happy to help. Get in touch today to discuss your needs.