CATARACT SURGERY - POST OPERATIVE CARE

Cataract is one of the world's most common causes of blindness. It is not only afflicting people at the age of 70 and over, but more and more younger patients are getting cataracts nowadays. People with cataracts may have blurry vision, sensitive to light and glare, and If left untreated cataracts can cause total blindness. 

Surgery is the ultimate way to treat cataracts. The two most common surgeries are Phaco and Laser Cataract in which both surgeries involve removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a plastic lens inserted in the eye during surgery. Especially, with Laser Cataract, it has the addition of laser assisted to perform specific steps in cataract surgery that traditionally have been performed with hand-held surgical. 

After cataract surgery, there some few things to keep in mind as patients recover from cataract surgery 

• Eat as normal, but avoid alcohol consumption 
• You can shower on the first day after the surgery but please avoid getting any soap or water in the eyes for 3 days after the surgery
• Rest at home on the first day after the surgery 
• You can do some light exercise 2 days after the surgery
• Do not drive on the first day after the surgery because you vision might not fully restored 
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach because this action will put a lot of pressure on your eyes 
• Eat as normal, but avoid alcohol consumption
• Avoid heavy lifting and gym exercise 
• For other daily activities please read the below tables:

• After the surgery, the patient’s eyes may feel itchy or tearful.  In this case, use antibiotic drops as directed by the doctor. Be sure to use a clean towel, kleenex or absorbent paper around the eyes
• After returning home, the patient may use cooled boiled water and clean cotton gauze or face towels to clean the eyes. Note:  Please do NOT use hard cotton yarn as it easily falls apart and collects dust.

• Protective glasses are used after surgery, sunglasses can be used to replace protective glasses that the hospital provides when going outdoors to avoid wind and dust affecting the eyes.
• Wearing hospital protective goggles when you go to bed as you may accidentally rub your eyes when you sleep (close attention must be paid in the first 3 days after surgery)

• The day after surgery, the patient is able to work normally.  However, please do not do any heavy work
• You can work normally with computers and phones if your eyes feel comfortable. Remember to rest your eyes every 20 minutes. 

For eye drops, oral medications, please follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. In the case of patients who do not follow the doctor's instructions but use them on their own, the risk of infection will increase, and also has the potential to affect recovery time after surgery.
Eye drops instructions:

• Before using your eye drops, please wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Wipe around your eyes slowly and gently with a clean gauze pad.
• Do not touch the eyes or eyelashes with the tip of the dropper.
• Do not use eye drops continuously, each eye drop is about 10 minutes apart.
• If eye drops come out, use a clean cloth or a soft tissue to absorb to avoid getting the fluids back into the eyes causing infection..
• Within a month after surgery, do not use eye ointment that has been opened for more than 20 days, even if the medication in the vial remains.
• To the second month, you can use eye drops until the end, but not more than 01 month after opening day.

Oral medication instructions: 

• Using oral starting from the evening of the day of surgery.
• If you are taking medications other than those prescribed by the hospital for cataract surgery patients, you can continue to take them as usual.

• Please remember the schedule of regular check-ups after surgery: after 1 day, 1 and 3 months.
• If you experience any irritation or any discomfort, please contact your hospital right away