Precautions after Cataract Surgery - Post Surgical Guidance

Cataract surgery is a 20 to 30 minutes procedure, and you can go home immediately after the procedure. But you should keep the following things in mind after the procedure:

1. Immediately after the surgery, your operated eye will be covered with a clear protective shield to avoid rubbing, dirt, and pollutants from entering.
2. Your doctor will prescribe eye drops and other medications to prevent infections, and inflammations and to keep your eye pressure in check.
3. You will need someone to drive you home as there will be difficulty in the vision in the operated eye, and you will not be allowed to drive your vehicle for some days.
4. At home, keep in mind to follow all precautions after cataract surgery as told by the doctor. Take Enough rest and sleep.
5. You may notice a imbalance in the vision for some days (as one eye is operated at a time) till the second eye is operated (after 1 to 4 weeks)
6. You would be advised to follow up with your eye doctor after 1 or 2 days of surgery and then again after a week, or a month to monitor your healing.

After your cataract surgery, blurry vision is common as your eye heals and adjusts. You will have to follow a few precautions after cataract surgery so that this blurring improves as soon as possible, which include:

1. Colours might also seem brighter because you are looking through a new lens. 
2. You might feel an itching sensation and little discomfort for a few days after the surgery. After a couple of days, mostly the discomfort disappears, and within 8 weeks your, eyes will be completely healed.  
3. You will be advised to wear the eye-shield throughout the day. After reaching home, you can remove the shield after a few hours or so. However, you should not discard the shield as it is necessary while sleeping so that you do not rub your eyes during sleep. 
4. A week after the surgery, your eye will be nearly healed and you can take a head bath and resume your daily chores but with caution. Post operative eye drops and other medications should be taken as per your surgeon’s advice.

In the weeks following the surgery, your eyes will have completely healed and you may be prescribed glasses, if required. You will be asked to clean your eyes with lids closed. This will prevent eye infection from developing, which occurs most commonly after surgery.

Cataract surgery has life-changing benefits, but to reap those benefits, precautions after cataract surgery need to be taken. Your surgeon will usually recommend the following dos and don’ts.

1. Avoid driving for 3 to 4 days post-surgery: After your first follow-up appointment, your doctor will give you a timeframe of when you can resume driving depending on your healing progress. You will also be given protective sunglasses to wear for your drive home or for when you go outside.
2. Your eyes should be protected: Immediately after the surgery, your eyes will be covered with a clear protective shield to avoid rubbing, dirt, and pollutants from entering. 
3. Avoid bright and harsh lighting: Another important precaution after cataract surgery is to steer clear of harsh bright light for at least 24 hours. This includes your need to avoid sources of light from your TV, mobile phones, tablet devices, computer, laptop, etc. If you have fluorescent bright lighting in your house, try to keep those lights off and use dim lamp lighting where possible. 
4. Precautions while bathing: You will be permitted to bathe or shower post-surgery. However, it needs to be done with maximum precaution. Try to avoid splashing or dampening your face with water, especially soapy water. It is best to avoid doing this for at least 1 week after the surgery as your eye heals. During this week, you will have an open wound vulnerable to infection. Hence, polluting eyes with dirty water can bring infection and complications. Damp face cloth or face wipes can be used for face cleansing during the first-week post-surgery.
5. Do not miss follow-up appointments: Follow-up appointments are very important for your recovery. Your first follow-up will be a day after your surgery. Your doctor will review your healing process and adjust the medicines if needed to keep the infection at bay. If the recovery is going as expected, you will be cleared to resume daily activities after 3 to 4 days post-surgery.  

Following doctor’s instructions: This goes without saying to follow your doctor’s instructions post-surgery with your dos and don'ts list. Some of the tips include:

1. Wearing dark, UV sunglasses outdoors for the first few weeks post-surgery.
2. Do not participate in strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 3 to 4 weeks.
3. Complete your full course of antibiotics to avoid infection.
4. Keep your home dust free and clean for the first few weeks post-op.
5. Avoid cleaning around your house where dust and pollutants could enter your eyes.
6. Avoid scratching and rubbing your eyes at all costs.
7. Do not immerse your head underwater for at least a week post-op.
8. Avoid eye makeup for 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery.
9. In case you experience vision loss, pain, light flashes, vomiting or nausea, consult your doctor right away.

Regular follow-up appointments will ensure faster recovery and decrease the chance of any unforeseen complications.  However, you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice the following symptoms during this period:

1. Loss of vision
2. Severe pain persists even after taking pain medications
3. Redness in your eyes increases 
4. Swollen eyes
5. If you see light flashes and several new spots in front of your eyes

The list might seem extensive. However, the precautions to be taken after cataract surgery are largely a part of your common sense. Basically, your eye is an open wound that is healing for the first few days after cataract surgery. Take most care in these few weeks, and the rest will follow.

For any more clarification related to precautions after cataract surgery, consult with eye doctors at HexaHealth. To diagnose the condition properly, the doctors at HexaHealth use state-of-the-art equipment. We also suggest going for a follow-up consultation to check the healing improvements. Book your appointment today for further information.

Suggested Reads: 

1. Cost of Cataract Surgery in Delhi
2. How to Take Care of Eyes After Cataract Surgery in Hindi
3. Food not to Eat after Cataract Surgery