Cataract Surgery Eye Drop Timetable and Post- Operative Information for Patients
Eye Drop Timetable - Right Eye / Left Eye Patient s name: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Do not rub your operated eye Keep your eye-shield on until morning. No eye drops are required today but you must start using them tomorrow morning. Sleep with the shield on for 1 week Use only the prescribed eye drops, as directed Remember to always wash your hands before touching your face or eye A scratchy, gritty feeling in the operation eye is normal for 7 to 10 days 2 3
4 Pain If you have any discomfort, we suggest that you take painkillers such as Paracetamol, every 4 to 6 hours, in accordance with the correct dosage. Avoid Aspirin unless it has been prescribed. It is safe to take other painkillers which you are used to taking. If you still experience pain after taking painkillers, please contact the patient advice line. Phone the unit immediately if you experience Throbbing pain in or around the operated eye A severe frontal headache with, or without, nausea and vomiting Progressive deterioration of vision, or loss of vision. Increasing redness in your eye Blurred Vision You can expect blurred vision on the first day after If your vision gradually improves during the day and does not deteriorate, you do not need to worry Sensitivity to bright light It s normal to be sensitive to bright light after a few days. You can wear sunglasses if you need to. Glasses Your optician will not change the prescription lens in your glasses until you have had your 4 week postoperative visit. It is normal for the prescription of your operated eye to change. Feel free to experiment with your glasses, this will not harm your vision. Try glasses on, or off, for different distances. Your optician may be able to remove a lens for you so that both eyes are being used. Driving and Using machinery Do not drive or operate machinery for 48 hours if you have been sedated. Otherwise, please wait for between 24 to 48 hours before driving or operating machinery. You must be able to read a car registration plate from 20.5 metres away, with or without your glasses If you are relying on the operated eye to be able to drive, there is no guarantee that your eyesight, without glasses, will be good enough. You may need new glasses, which would be prescribed at 4 to 5 weeks You cannot drive if you have double vision Please be aware that your judgement of distance may change following cataract, and it may take a little time to get used to your new eyesight 5
You should speak to your insurance company to see if it has any other restrictions or requirements after cataract Glaucoma If you have glaucoma continue your glaucoma drops as usual but please use a new bottle. Leave an interval of 5 minutes between eye drops. Dry or Gritty eyes If you experience dry or gritty eyes, use some lubricant eye drops from your optician or chemist. Usually 4 to 5 times a day is enough. Occasionally, you may need to use the drops for months. Renewing your prescription If you run out of drops, please see your GP, who should be able to prescribe another bottle. Although the bottles appear small, they should last 3 weeks Make-up Do not wear any eye make-up, mascara and eyeliner for 2 weeks. Although you can wear make -up on your face immediately. Please do not rub, or put any pressure on your eye. Hairwashing and showering Use baby shampoo Avoid getting stinging soap in your eyes as this causes the eye to be rubbed or squeezed Do not rub your eye Exercise and Sport If you have a workout regime, keep to 50% weight and repetition for 2 weeks. You can then resume your full regime. For other sport, please contact us. Flying If you have had without complications, there is no restriction for travelling on commercial flights. If you are still unsure about whether you can fly, please contact us. Alcohol Do not drink any alcohol for 24 hours if you have been given sedation. Please try to remain in control at all times. A fall onto the eye during your recovery could cause severe damage Work Most people return to work 7 days after. If you work in a dusty and dirty occupation, please return to work after 14 days If you have an unusual occupation and you are unsure about when you can return to work, please contact us. Follow-up appointments Your follow -up appointment will usually be scheduled within 3 to 4 weeks after 6 7
Patient Advice Line Spire Murrayfield - 0845 600 2110 Out of Office Emergency No - 0151 929 5238 Spire Regency - 01625 501150 Patient Booking Enquires - 0161 819 4334 Contact us SpaMedica Ltd Citygate Central Blantyre Street Manchester M15 4SQ Tel: 0161 838 0870 Email: cataractnhs@spamedica.co.uk www.spamedica.co.uk 8