What should be avoided after eye surgery?
Disease description:
Had eye surgery last week. Now I have a good appetite, but I'm afraid of eating the wrong foods that might affect recovery. What foods should I avoid exactly? Can I eat hot pot or barbecue?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
In general, after eye surgery, patients should avoid spicy foods, alcohol, high-sugar foods, fried and high-fat foods, caffeine, and similar items.
1. Spicy foods: Excessively spicy foods, such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, are unfavorable to wound healing after surgery and may worsen inflammatory responses in the eye.
2. Alcohol: Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to expansion of blood vessels in the eyes, increasing the risk of ocular congestion and swelling, thus delaying wound healing.
3. High-sugar foods: High-sugar foods such as cakes and chocolates can elevate blood glucose levels. High blood sugar affects the body's metabolic functions and is detrimental to wound repair and healing.
4. Fried and high-fat foods: These types of food are difficult to digest and place additional strain on the gastrointestinal system, affecting overall recovery. Moreover, excessive intake of high-fat foods may increase blood viscosity, impairing circulation in the eyes.
5. Caffeine: Beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, have stimulating effects that may affect the patient's sleep quality. Insufficient sleep impacts the body's recovery capacity and indirectly affects healing of ocular wounds.
After eye surgery, patients should choose light, easily digestible foods and consume more protein- and vitamin-rich foods, such as lean meats, eggs, legumes, fresh vegetables, and fruits, to promote wound healing and recovery.
