Why You Should Avoid Drinking Alcohol After Cataract Surgery

What the official pages say

The NHS cataract surgery page and the National Eye Institute (NEI) page do not mention alcohol, so we cannot cite an official ban or an all-clear. Our headline advice to avoid alcohol is therefore not backed by these pages; the surgeon’s instructions come first.

Recovery rules they do give

• NHS: do not rub your eye, lift heavy things, play sports, wear eye makeup, get water in the eye, or swim. Do not drive until your vision is back to normal.
• NHS: use prescribed drops for about 4 weeks.
• NEI: you may need to avoid touching your eye, bending over or heavy lifting for a few weeks, and most people are fully healed at 8 weeks.

Sedation and medicines

NEI says your doctor can give medicine to help you relax during surgery. NIAAA says alcohol and medicines can interact harmfully and that alcohol can add to sleepiness and lightheadedness. Ask whether any medicine you were given or take at home affects drinking.

When to get help

NEI says call right away for vision loss, severe pain that does not go away, very red eyes, or floaters. The NHS says sudden floaters, flashes, or a dark curtain over your vision need urgent care (NHS 111 in the UK).

This is general information, not medical advice.