Cataract: Eye Care after Surgery

What should I do right after cataract surgery?

Plan to spend the day resting quietly when you return home after surgery. After your surgery, you may have a patch over your eye. You may take a bath or shower, but try to keep the patch dry. Ask your healthcare provider when the patch should be removed. After the patch is removed, your vision will be blurry at first, so be extra careful to avoid falling or bumping your head. If you feel like it, you can read, watch TV, and do simple chores. You can eat your normal diet and take your usual medicines unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.

What things can I safely do the next day?

You can probably do most things you feel like doing.

It is safe to work at a computer or to read for as long as you like. However, if your eyes get tired, you may want to take breaks or to limit these activities. If you do physically strenuous work, ask your healthcare provider when you can return to work.

What things should I avoid?

• Do not drive until your healthcare provider says you can.
• Until your incisions heal, avoid straining, including:
  • strenuous exercise including aerobic or impact activity
  • lifting more than 25 pounds
  • coughing
  • sneezing
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • bending over
• Do not get dirt, water, soap, or chemicals in your eye. Do not swim or use a hot tub.

Ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to return to your normal activities.

How well can I expect to see after surgery?

Expect your vision to be blurry at first. Also, your vision may change from time to time during the day. Your vision will improve over several weeks as your eyes adjust to working together. Your rate of healing may be faster or slower than that of others. After your eye heals, you may still need glasses to see clearly at distance or to read.

How can I protect my eye?

While your eye is healing, cover the eye at all times with sunglasses, glasses, or an eyeshield. Your old glasses will not help you see better in the operated eye. In fact, they may make your vision more blurry, but they will protect your eye from injury. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you are ready for new glasses, usually about 1 month after surgery.

Wear an eye shield when you sleep. Put one strip of tape diagonally across the shield before you put it over your eye. Then put the shield in place and put a second strip of tape from your forehead to your cheek. Use the shield at night and during naps until your provider tells you to stop using it.

Will I need to use medicines?

You will be given eyedrops or ointment to help healing or prevent infection or inflammation. Follow your provider's instructions carefully. If you need to, ask a family member or friend to help you put the medicine in your eye.

For mild pain or discomfort, you may take a non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed by your provider. If you cannot take Tylenol, ask your health care provider which pain medicines you should take. If you have pain that is not relieved by this medicine, call your provider.

Will I need to see my healthcare provider after surgery?

You will need to return to your provider's office the day after surgery. Your provider will remove the patch and check your eye. You will need other checkups as directed by your provider. Keep all of your appointments, even if you feel well and can see well. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your provider about them.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

It is normal for your eye to water for a few days after surgery. It may also be redder than usual, especially under the upper lid. Your vision may also be blurry and may change during the course of the day. However, you should call your provider right away if you have any of the following problems:

• You have severe pain or your eyes get more and more sensitive to bright lights.
• Your vision suddenly gets worse.
• You see flashes of light in your peripheral vision.
• You notice new floaters in your vision.
• You see what looks like a shadow or curtain coming across your field of vision.