Post Cataract Surgery Instructions
Rest After Surgery
Immediately following any eye surgery (including your cataract surgery), your eye doctor will recommend that you go home, rest and take a nap! This is as important as any other post operative instructions you are given. The body needs time for the healing process to complete and that recovery period starts immediately after your surgery.
Use of an Eye Shield Post Surgery
You may be sent home with a plastic eye shield over your eye. If so, leave it on the day of surgery and sleep in it that night. Remove the plastic shield when you wake up the next morning. In some cases, you may not leave with the shield on your eye, but you are instructed to wear it while sleeping at night. In both cases, please continue to wear the shield while sleeping for 1 week.
Eye Irritation and Blurred Vision
It is normal for the eye to have a slight foreign body sensation or irritation, and for you to experience blurry or double vision . It is also likely to have floaters in the immediate post-operative period. You may sleep with your head slightly elevated to help reduce the likelihood of floaters.
Keep Your Eye Clean And Dry
Once the shield is removed, try to keep the eye clean and dry to prevent infection. While it may seem like it would provide relief, do not use unprescribed eye drops or saline in the eye. Do not touch or rub your eye. Try to avoid getting water in the eye. You CAN take a shower; just try not to let water go directly into your eye. You should avoid using a hot tub for at least two weeks after cataract surgery to reduce the risk of infection and irritation. Chlorine in pools and hot tubs can burn or damage your affected eye.
Keep Resting! Avoid Strenuous Activity
To ensure that your post surgery eye stays clean and dry, Avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks. This includes avoiding heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, yard work, or any other activity that could potentially put you an environment that could introduce foreign bodies, moisture, or dust into your eye.
Possible Light Sensitivity
Among the side effects patients experience is a slight to moderate sensitivity to light. For comfort, inside or outside, you may wear the sunglasses that we provided. These can be worn over your current glasses or alone.
Contact Your NCEENT Team With Any Questions
Email your eye doctor or surgeon through our Patient Portal or call (919)-595-2000 if you have any further questions regarding these cataract surgery recovery instructions.