[Clinical Edge] Is It Okay to Squeeze Your Eyes Shut After Cataract Surgery?

 It's best to avoid squeezing your eyes shut forcefully during the first few days after cataract surgery. While doing it once accidentally is unlikely to cause harm, repeatedly squeezing or rubbing your eye can place unnecessary stress on the healing incision.

Why Should You Avoid Squeezing Your Eyes Shut?

Modern cataract surgery is performed through a very small self-sealing incision. Although the wound begins to heal immediately, it still needs time to become fully stable.

Forcefully closing your eyelids activates the muscles around the eye and may briefly increase pressure on the eye. For this reason, ophthalmologists generally recommend avoiding unnecessary pressure during the early recovery period.

It's also a good idea to avoid:

  • Rubbing your eye
  • Pressing on your eye
  • Wiping your eye forcefully with a towel
  • Touching the surgical eye unnecessarily

I Accidentally Squeezed My Eye Shut Once. Should I Be Worried?

In most cases, no.

A single accidental squeeze—similar to what happens when you sneeze, cough, or blink forcefully—is rarely enough to damage the surgical result.

If your vision remains stable and you do not develop significant pain, increasing redness, or bleeding, careful observation is usually all that is needed.

How Long Should You Be Careful?

The first week after cataract surgery is generally the most important period for protecting the healing eye.

Follow your surgeon's postoperative instructions carefully, including wearing a protective eye shield if recommended, using your prescribed eye drops, and avoiding activities that put unnecessary pressure on the eye.

When Should You Contact Your Eye Surgeon?

Seek prompt medical attention if you notice:

  • Sudden loss or worsening of vision
  • Severe eye pain
  • Significant bleeding or increasing redness
  • A dramatic increase in floaters
  • New flashes of light
  • A curtain-like shadow blocking part of your vision

These symptoms are not usually caused by squeezing your eyes once, but they can indicate a postoperative complication that requires immediate evaluation.

The Bottom Line

Accidentally squeezing your eyes shut once after cataract surgery is unlikely to cause serious problems.

However, during the early healing period, it's best to avoid forcefully squeezing, rubbing, or pressing on the operated eye. If you experience sudden vision changes, severe pain, or other concerning symptoms, contact your eye surgeon without delay.

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