12 Things You Should NOT Do Before Cataract Surgery

1.Don’t eat or drink close to surgery time — most centers require fasting after midnight or for 8–12 hours before your procedure, especially if sedation is used.

2.Don’t drink alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to surgery.

3.Don’t wear contact lenses in the days to weeks before surgery, since they can distort the eye measurements used to select your lens implant.

4.Don’t apply makeup, facial creams, lotion, or perfume on the day of surgery, or even the day before.

5.Don’t skip or stop prescribed medications without checking with your eye doctor first, especially blood thinners or diabetes medication.

6.Don’t start new medications or supplements close to your surgery date without medical clearance.

7.Don’t ignore your antibiotic or prep eye drops if they’ve been prescribed — these usually need to start a few days beforehand.

8.Don’t do strenuous exercise or heavy physical work the day before or the day of surgery.

9.Don’t wear jewelry or bring valuables to the surgery center.

10.Don’t plan to drive yourself home — you’ll need someone to take you, since your vision will be blurry afterward.

11.Don’t hide a cold, fever, or illness from your surgical team — report any sickness before your appointment.

12.Don’t rub or touch your eyes in the days leading up to surgery, and be gentle when applying prescribed eye drops.

Pre-Surgery Do’s and Don’ts at a Glance

Detailed Breakdown of Pre-Op Restrictions

1. Fasting Before Surgery

Most clinics ask patients to stop eating and drinking, including gum and mints, several hours before surgery — often from midnight the night before.

This is because sedation is typically used, and an empty stomach lowers the risk of complications during the procedure. Some clinics allow a small sip of water with essential morning medications, but you should always confirm this directly with your surgical team.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol should generally be avoided for at least 24 hours before surgery, since it can interact with sedatives and anesthesia.

3. Contact Lenses

Contact lenses can slightly change the shape of your cornea, which may throw off the measurements your surgeon uses to pick the right intraocular lens (IOL) implant. Most surgeons recommend removing soft contacts for several days and rigid gas-permeable lenses for a longer period — sometimes a few weeks — before your pre-surgical measurements and the surgery itself.

4. Makeup, Lotions, and Perfume

Cosmetics, facial creams, and fragrances can introduce particles or bacteria near the eye, raising infection risk. Skip these on the day of surgery, and many surgeons recommend avoiding them the day before as well.

5. Medications and Supplements

Never stop or adjust a prescribed medication on your own before surgery. Blood thinners like aspirin or warfarin are sometimes continued and sometimes paused, depending on your individual risk factors — this decision belongs to your surgeon, often in consultation with your primary doctor. The same caution applies to supplements, since some (like fish oil or vitamin E) can thin the blood.

6. Prescribed Eye Drops

If your surgeon prescribes antibiotic or anti-inflammatory drops before surgery, don’t skip doses. These are typically started a few days in advance to reduce infection risk. If you’ve never used eye drops before, ask your care team to show you the proper technique so you don’t accidentally touch or scratch your eye.

7. Physical Activity

Avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting in the day or two before surgery. Light daily activity is fine, but save intense workouts for after your surgeon clears you.

8. Jewelry and Valuables

Leave rings, watches, necklaces, and cash at home. Surgical centers ask you to remove jewelry anyway, and it’s easier to avoid the risk of losing something.

9. Illness

If you develop a fever, cold, cough, or any infection before your surgery date, tell your surgical team right away rather than showing up regardless. Surgery may need to be rescheduled to protect your recovery.

10. Driving Yourself

Because of sedation and blurry vision afterward, you cannot drive yourself home. Arrange a ride in advance rather than assuming you’ll figure it out on the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Can I eat before cataract surgery? Generally, no — most patients are asked to stop eating and drinking after midnight or for 8–12 hours before surgery, though rules vary by clinic and by whether sedation is planned.

2.Can I take my regular medications on the morning of surgery? Often yes, with a small sip of water, but always confirm which specific medications are safe with your surgeon beforehand.

3.How many days before surgery should I stop wearing contact lenses? This ranges from a few days to a few weeks depending on lens type; soft lenses usually need a shorter break than rigid gas-permeable lenses. Your surgeon will give you an exact timeline based on your measurements appointment.

4.Can I drink coffee before cataract surgery? Caffeinated drinks are typically included in the “nothing after midnight” fasting rule, so check your specific instructions before assuming coffee is allowed.

5.Can I wear makeup on the day of my cataract surgery? No — makeup, lotion, and perfume should be avoided on surgery day due to infection risk near the eye.

6.Do I need someone to drive me home after cataract surgery? Yes, you will need a ride home because of sedation and temporary blurry vision.

Key Takeaway

The most important pre-surgery rule is simple: follow your specific surgeon’s instructions exactly, since fasting windows, medication guidance, and contact lens timelines can differ between clinics. When in doubt about any restriction, call your eye care team rather than guessing.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice from your ophthalmologist or surgical team.