Post - Operative care in Cataract Surgery
What to expect after Cataract Surgery
- It is normal to feel a sensation of "something being inside the eye" for up to 2 weeks. Some patients may feel this sensation for 3 months or longer if they are diabetic.
- Pain is not a routine feature. However, if there is discomfort, we suggest taking a pain reliever such as Paracetamol
- It is normal to feel a "sticky sensation" on the eye lids for a while after surgery
- Healing takes 2-15 days depending on the type of surgery; after which new glasses can be prescribed Some patients feel a "double vision" for 3-4 hours after the surgery. It will disappear within 4 hours.
- Some patients may feel that their vision is a bit more "bright". That is normal.
Things to avoid immediately after Cataract Surgery
- Rubbing the eye
- Lifting very heavy things
- Exercising strenuously
- Allowing anything from falling into the eye
- Washing the eye with water
- Head bath - Please discuss your individual case with the consultant. Normally, we allow all our patients to have head bath after 2 days
How long do the eyes have to be covered after surgery?
The operated eye will be covered with a protective plastic eye shield. For daycare patients the eye shield is removed, and the eyes are examined before returning home. After the operation, all patients are advised to wear a protective eye shield for a month while sleeping.
How long to use eye drops?
The patient will be taught how to put in eye drops correctly. Eye drops prevent infection and helps to reduce inflammation after the operation. It may be necessary for 2-3 months after surgery. Always wash hands before putting drops. Do not touch the dropper tip with your hands
After surgery, contact the hospital immediately if there is
- Excessive pain
- Decrease / Loss of vision
- Increasing redness of the eye
- Increasing discharge from the eye
How safe is a cataract surgery? What complications are reported?
Cataract surgery is one of the most successful eye surgeries. However, since it is a major operation, some complications can develop and must be considered before giving consent to have surgery.
These include:
Infection (Endophthalmitis):
Since the eye is opened for surgery, a serious internal infection could develop and permanently harm or even destroy the eye and vision. This can be controlled by medications or surgery. The risk for infection is low (3-5/1000).
Haemorrhage:
If the bleeding cannot be controlled vision can be damaged. The risk is very low (1 in 10,000).
Retinal Detachment:
Cataract surgery causes a disturbance to the internal dynamics of the eye leading to small tears in the retina that may later progress to retinal detachment and loss of vision. Most tears can be treated with laser or freezing with a cryo probe. Detachments can be treated with surgery.
Cystoid Macular Edema (CME):
Patients may experience blurring and distortion of images.
Double Vision:
This may be temporary due to the effect of the anaesthetic. If it becomes a problem, surgery can reverse the condition.
After Cataract:
The transparent posterior capsular support of the Intra Ocular Lens becomes translucent and thus does not allow complete transmission of light. The patient's vision again becomes slightly hazy. This can be remedied by laser treatment in the out-patient department itself.
