Eye Care After Cataract Surgery

What should I do right after cataract surgery?

Plan to spend the day resting quietly when you return home after surgery. For a day or two, avoid exerting yourself, and do not carry anything heavy. Also do not bend down past your knees. 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 resume your normal diet and take your usual medications unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

What things can I safely do the next day?

You can probably do most things you feel like doing. Ask your doctor when you can be physically active again.

If you work at a desk in an office, you can return to work. If you do any strenuous work, ask your doctor when you can return to work.

What things should I avoid?

• Do not drive until your doctor says you can.
• Do not strain yourself until your incisions heal. Ask your doctor when you can return to strenuous exercise.
• Do not get dirt, water, soap, or other substances in your eye. Do not swim in a public pool or hot tub. Ask your doctor when it is safe to shower or get water in your eye.

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.

How can I protect my eye?

While your eye is healing, wear your old glasses, sunglasses, or an eye shield at all times, even during naps. 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 doctor 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 apply the second strip of tape from your forehead to your cheek. Use the shield at night and during naps until your doctor tells you to stop using it.

Will I need to use medications?

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

For mild pain or discomfort, you may take a nonaspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed by your doctor. If you have pain that is not relieved by this medicine, call your doctor.

Will I need to see the doctor after surgery?

You will need to return to your doctor's office the day after surgery. Your doctor will remove the patch and check your eye. You will need other checkups as directed by your doctor. 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 doctor about them.

When should I call my doctor?

It is normal for your eye to water for a few days after surgery. It may also appear redder than usual, especially under the upper lid. However, you should call your doctor right away if you have any of the following problems:

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