BEFORE, DURING and AFTER CATARACT SURGERY CARE

General guidelines lamang po ito kung sakaling magpaopera o nagpa-opera ka sa katarata. Kung may ibang instruction pa ang doktor mo na hindi kasama dito, sundin po yun.

BEFORE the Surgery

CAN I EAT OR DRINK BEFORE SURGERY?                                  

We encourage you to take clear liquids, NO MILK up until 2 hours before surgery.  We want you to be well hydrated when you arrive for your surgery.  YOU CAN EAT AND TAKE MILK up until 6 hours before surgery.  NO FOOD OR MILK AFTER THAT.

CAN I WEAR EYE MAKEUP BEFORE SURGERY?                                   

Eye make-up can contain particles and bacteria (particularly eyeliner and mascara) so we stop them 3 days prior to surgery and week after.

IF I AM USING EYE MEDICATIONS IN MY EYE TO BE OPERATED ON, DO I STOP TAKING THEM?   

Continue all eye medications through the day before your surgery.  Do not use eye medications in the eye to be operated on the day of surgery.  Eye drops for the fellow eye should be continued as usual.

HOW LONG WILL I BE AT THE SURGERY CENTER THE DAY OF MY SURGERY?                                     

Even though your operation itself usually takes less than 20 minutes, you should plan to spend 2 hours at the Surgery Center.  Preparation and post-operative observation and instruction take time.

ON THE DAY OF SURGERY, WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?                     

Wear a loose shirt or a shirt that buttons in front. Do not wear any jewelries.

Immediately after cataract surgery

At the end of the surgical procedure, your doctor may place some antibiotic drops in your eye to prevent infection and administer some anti-inflammatory drops to minimize swelling.

Your doctor may cover your eye with a bandage or shield and ask you to rest for a short time.  The bandage, if used, will be removed on the next day at the doctor’s clinic.

• You may feel a little groggy from the anesthesia.  This is normal and will wear off fairly quickly.
• You may receive prescription medications such as antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops, which you will need to use for the next few weeks.
• You will receive detailed instructions on how to use these medications and care for your eye so it’s important that you have a companion to hear these instructions as well, to help you at home and assist you on your way home.
• Your follow-up appointment(s) will be scheduled.

Then you will be released.  You may find wearing sunglasses or a hat when you leave hospital helpful because your eye could be sensitive to sunlight.

AFTER the Surgery

WHAT CAN I DO WHEN I GO HOME AFTERWARD?                                     Take it easy, rest and don’t plan on doing any important paperwork or making any decisions. You’ll probably feel like taking a nap at some point.

SHOULD THE DROPS STING? 

Ideally, no, but they often do!  The initial discomfort will diminish rapidly after the first day.  The drops will sting momentarily after you have put them in the eye.  After the first day, if it gets worse again please call/text your doctor or the emergency number given to you.

IS IT NORMAL FOR MY EYES TO FEEL SCRATCHY AFTER SURGERY?     

Expect this the first day, diminishing thereafter.  

HOW SOON WILL I SEE AFTER SURGERY?                                                   Vision on the day of surgery is quite variable from one eye to the next, even for the same patient.  It is usually blurry in all patients on and off during the first day. You usually experience your best vision after cataract surgery 2-4 weeks post-operatively.

WILL I NEED GLASSES AFTER SURGERY?                                                  Have your second eye operated first before you go for glasses if needed.  If both eyes need cataract surgery, don’t judge your success until both have healed and your brain has learned to work with both lenses.

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK?                                                               This varies among patients and what type of work they do.  Many patients return to work the following day, although we often recommend the patient to take a day off.  Best to ask the doctor.

HOW SOON CAN I GO TO THE MOUNTAINS OR RIDE IN AN AIRPLANE?     High altitude and air travel pose no problems after cataract or glaucoma surgery.

The day after surgery:

1. Please have someone accompany you, to your check-up.
2. Please bring your eye drops and your card.
3. Instructions will be given to you regarding your medications.

Do's and don'ts after cataract surgery

Do not:

• Try to touch or rub or put pressure on your eye or get anything in your eye, even water, which can increase the chance of infection. 
• No swimming or hot tubs.
• Drive for 24 hours after surgery.
• Do any strenuous activity, especially bending and lifting anything 15 to 20 pounds or more.
• Wear any eye make-up for one week after surgery. Also, avoid any creams, lotions around the operated eye. Lipstick, eyebrow pencil, etc. are OK. Powders and foundations often make their way into the eye, as does eyeliner and mascara and should not be used until the second week. After that makeup is OK.

Do:

• Wash your hands carefully 
• Use your eye drops on the schedule provided by your doctor to avoid post-operative complications. Your carer may be able to help with this. 
• Avoid strenuous activity like running, jumping, etc. and heavy lifting. 
• Wear your protective eye covering while you sleep and avoid sleeping on the side that has been operated on. 
• Use sunglasses or goggles to protect eyes from sunlight and other bright light as eye recovers. 
• Keep eye closed while showering or bathing. Also, avoid swimming for 2 weeks. Keep soap and shampoo out of your eyes. 
• Avoid bending, exercising and similar activities that might stress eye while it is healing.

During the second week

Wearing eye make-up is okay.  There may be some redness, itching, mild discomfort or bruising around the eye.  These sensations will decrease and your vision will improve progressively.

Side effects of cataract surgery are usually temporary. They can include:

• an itchy or sticky eye and blurry vision for a few days after the operation
• your eye may feel gritty for a few days
• your eye may look red for a few days
• a slight ache, which should pass after a few days
• bruising of the eyelid or eye, which will usually heal within a week

Recovering at home 

Take it easy for the 2 or 3 days after the operation.  Continue to use the eye drops that you have been given as instructed.  If you experience more than mild pain or loss of vision, or if your eye starts to go red, contact your doctor for advice.

You should be able to read and watch television almost immediately if you have reading glasses, but your vision may be blurry as your healing eye gets used to its new lens.  

If you have any discharge, use a warm washcloth to wipe it away gently.