AFTER surgery
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Typically, you will have little or no pain after your surgery. Gritty or ‘sandy’ irritation is common. This will generally improve over the first week, and can be soothed with regular paracetamol and preservative-free lubricating eye drops
Blurry vision and light sensitivity is common in the days after your operation
Red or bloodshot eye is often present, and will generally improve over the first week
Complications are rare after surgery, but can include eye pressure problems, infection, inflammation, bleeding, and retinal detachment.
If your eye pain is significant or increasing, or your vision is getting worse – call Dr Bennett’s clinic, your local optometrist, or head to an emergency department urgently.
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Typically, you will have little or no pain after your surgery. Gritty or ‘sandy’ irritation is common. This will generally improve over the first week, and can be soothed with regular paracetamol and preservative-free lubricating eye drops
If you needed a gas bubble for surgery, you will have very limited vision immediately after surgery (‘like trying to see underwater’). This will gradually improve over 1 to 3 weeks after surgery, with the air bubble (‘like a spirit level’) getting lower in your vision each day
Red or bloodshot eye is often present, and will generally improve over the first week
Complications are rare after surgery, but can include eye pressure problems, infection, inflammation, bleeding, and retinal detachment.
If your eye pain is significant or increasing, or your vision is getting worse – call Dr Bennett’s clinic, your local optometrist, or head to an emergency department urgently.
Looking after your eye
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Wear your eye shield (hard plastic, no pad underneath) at night for the first 3 days after surgery – stuck on with skin tape eg Micropore
Wear sunglasses during the day
Walking, reading, and TV are okay as soon as you feel up to it
For the first two weeks after surgery:
NO heavy lifting (>5kg) and no strenuous activities
Keep the eye clean and dry – showering and washing your hair is okay, but keep your eyes closed and do not get water in the eye
NO eye makeup
For the first four weeks after surgery:
Do not rub the eye! The wounds may break open causing infection
NO swimming
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Complications are rare after surgery, but can include eye pressure problems, infection, inflammation, bleeding, and retinal detachment.
If your eye pain is significant or increasing, or your vision is getting worse – call Dr Bennett’s clinic, your local optometrist, or head to an emergency department urgently.
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After cataract surgery:
Prednisone or Maxidex, one drop 4x per day for 4 weeks
After retinal surgery:
Chloramphenicol, one drop 4x per day for 1 week
Prednisone or Maxidex, one drop 4x per day for 4 weeks
In certain cases, an extra anti-inflammatory drop (eg Ilevro) or eye pressure drop will be recommended.
If you take regular glaucoma drops, you should restart these the day after surgery.
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With the patient looking up, pull the lower eyelid down and put one drop into the lower eyelid pocket. This may be easier with the patient lying flat.
If more than one drop is due at the same time, leave 5 minutes in between drops.
It is normal for the drops to sting a little.
The order that you put the drops in does not matter.
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Immediately after the surgery, your eye will be covered with a soft white eyepad and a hard plastic shield.
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After cataract surgery:
Remove the pad and shield at 8pm on the day of surgery, and put in your first set of drops
Keep the shield only, to wear for sleep for the first 3 nights
After retinal surgery:
Remove the pad and shield when you wake up on the day after surgery, and put in your first set of drops
Keep the shield only, to wear for sleep for the first 3 nights
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Sunglasses are helpful for light sensitivity after your surgery, but are not mandatory.
Looking after yourself
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This will vary depending on the requirements of your job, and can be discussed further with Dr Bennett.
The clinic can provide you with a medical certificate for your employer.
Typically:
Cataract surgery – 3 days (some patients prefer 1 week)
Retinal surgery (vitrectomy or buckle) – 1 week (some patients prefer 2 weeks)
If your job involves heavy lifting (>5kg), you will need 2 weeks off.
If you have retinal surgery and need a gas bubble, this will impair your vision for up to 3 weeks.
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You should not drive until your vision returns to normal, and you can comfortably keep the eye open even in bright light.
Typically:
After cataract surgery, this can be within a few days.
After retinal surgery, this may take 1 to 3 weeks. You cannot drive while there is a gas bubble inside the eye.
For your specific case, you should discuss further with Dr Bennett.
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After cataract surgery, flying is okay any time.
After retinal surgery, strictly NO flying or travel to altitude until there is verified to be NO gas bubble left inside your eye. Flying with a bubble inside your eye will result in permanent blindness.
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After cataract surgery, you should wait 6 weeks before you see your regular optometrist to update your glasses. This allows time for your prescription to stabilise.
Medical disclaimer: This content is general in nature and intended only for patients of Dr Bennett. It is not to be taken as independent medical advice. All readers of this content must consult their own eye care professional. The authors of this content are not responsible for any harm that may arise in relation to the information presented here.