What is post op care for Cataract surgery?

Answer 1

Wow. This is a tough one to answer succinctly. Briefly,…

After surgery, patients may be instructed to eye drops that same day. Some surgeons, however, patch the eye and instruct their patients not to use any drops the first day. At all costs, avoid rubbing the eye. Most surgeons place a shield over the eye to be worn at night to protect the eye from inadvertent rubbing during sleep.

Activities that involve submerging the eye under water should be avoided for a few weeks (so no swimming or diving). However, it is OK to shower or wash one's hair by the day after surgery.

Mild discomfort, pain, tearing and increased sensitivity to light can be observed. However, if pain is severe or vision worsens, patients should contact their eye surgeon right away. Patients are often instructed to visit their eye surgeon the afternoon of surgery or the following day for assessment of eye pressure and wound healing. A prescription for eye drops may be given to aid recovery, and re-evaluated a week after surgery.

Usually by three to six weeks after surgery a new prescription for spectacles can be obtained.

Answer 2

LASIK surgery involves making a corneal flap which is thin and delicate. It is positioned properly at the time of the LASIK procedure but care must be taken that it is not dislodged or moved during the initial healing period. This is accomplished by both instructing the patient not to rub their eyes, providing proper lubrication drops so that the flap does not stick to the eyelid during blinks, and proper eye protection especially while sleeping.

Most LASIK centers give patients specific written and verbal instruction to avoid any problems with the corneal flap. This is also verified by an examination post procedure before the patient leaves our center to be sure that the flap is not wrinkled or dislodged. Another exam is performed the next day for a similar purpose as well as checking on the visual recovery and other aspects of healing.

The eyes should be protected from both trauma and bright sunlight which is accomplished with sunglasses, usually dispensed at the time of the procedure, and night goggles for the first few nights, especially for patients who are likely to rub their eyes at night.

Another important aspect of care is using the medicated drops dispensed or prescribed at the time of LASIK. These are antibiotics to prevent the rare chance of infection, anti-inflammatory drops to soothe and aid healing, and lubrication drops since the eyes may be temporarily dryer than normal.

It is also important to keep the scheduled post operative appointments so that the doctor can verify the progress being made, especially the first few visits.

Longer term, the eyes heal well and it is unlikely to have any problems after 3-6 months but it is always a good idea to protect the eyes from severe trauma whether one had LASIK or not.

Answer 3

After LASIK, patients may experience burning, itching or a foreign body sensation.

Answer 4

The patient is advised to discontinue contact lens wear immediately and refrain from using creams, lotions, make-up or perfume

Answer 5

Patients may also be required to wear an eye shield while sleeping, and sunglasses or some type of protective lens during the day to avoid injury.