When can I golf and play sports after cataract surgery?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology gives a usable number for most recreational sport: activities like biking, running, tennis, golf, and sex are typically resumed about 7 to 10 days after cataract surgery. Before that, AAO says very light exercise such as walking is generally fine starting the day after surgery, and that strenuous exercise should be avoided because big spikes in heart rate can raise eye pressure and disturb healing.

Golf has one extra wrinkle worth naming. Lining up a putt, teeing up a ball, and fishing a ball out of the cup all put your head below your waist, and AAO says not to do that during the first 48 hours. It is not a reason to skip golf at day 10, but it is a reason not to sneak out to the practice green on day 1.

Water sports are on a longer clock. AAO's cataract recovery article says wait two weeks before going in the water, while AAO's exercise article says swimming may be restricted for up to four weeks. Guidance varies, so plan on two to four weeks and let your surgeon pick the number for pools, lakes, the ocean, and hot tubs.

Contact and ball sports deserve their own conversation. AAO's guidance on resuming exercise after eye surgery is to always ask your ophthalmologist before restarting any form of exercise, and to protect the eye during recovery. Basketball, racquetball, softball, martial arts, skiing, and anything where an elbow or a ball can reach your face carry real impact risk to a healing eye, so get a specific answer and wear proper protective eyewear. Outdoors, AAO recommends wraparound sunglasses, which also keep out dust and wind. Your operating surgeon's instructions override this page.