Drinking Alcohol, Beer, Or Wine After Cataract Surgery : Is It Safe?

Drinking any kind of alcoholic beverage such as wine or beer after a cataract procedure is not something that most eye doctors recommend, especially the day of the surgery or right after. The reason for this is that you most likely have been given some form of anesthesia for the surgery and alcohol can interfere with the anesthetic creating a dangerous sedative effect.

It's best to ask your cataract surgeon exactly when he or she feels it's safe to start having a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. It may be best to wait a few days after your surgery in order to let the affects of the anesthesia completely wear off, otherwise you could be putting your eye surgery and even your health in a dangerous situation.

If you drink too much alcohol after your cataract surgery it could also interfere with you putting your eyedrops in at the correct time and in the proper fashion. Bloodshot eyes can also make it more difficult for your eye surgeon to determine if your eyes are bloodshot from drinking wine or beer or if they are red from an infection or inflammation after your cataracts have been removed.