When can I wear makeup after cataract surgery?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's answer on this is short and specific: in general, wait one to two weeks before using makeup on the face and eyes after cataract surgery, and ask your own ophthalmologist because timelines vary. Eye makeup sits right at the lash line, which is exactly where bacteria live and where you least want contamination while the incision is sealing.

Removal comes later than application. A separate AAO answer says that after a month it is likely safe to remove your makeup the same way you did before the operation. The reason is pressure, not the product. Early on you should not press on the eyelid, and normal removal involves rubbing and pulling at the lid.

When you do restart, buy new products rather than reaching for the old tube. Mascara and liner pick up bacteria over months of use, and AAO's general cosmetics guidance is that eyelid products are formulated for use near the eye but should never be placed in the eye. Avoid makeup remover running into the eye, skip false lashes and lash glue early on, and go easy on anything applied to the waterline.

Face makeup kept well away from the eye area is often allowed sooner than eye makeup, but that call belongs to your surgeon. If the eye gets red, itchy, or irritated after you restart, stop and call the office. Your operating surgeon's instructions override this page.