After cataract surgery, it is crucial that you follow all post-op instructions from your Ophthalmologist to help your eye heal and optimise your recovery.
Different Ophthalmologists may have slightly different post-op instructions for your cataract surgery aftercare, but they will generally include the following do’s and don’ts:
Protect Your Eye
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or pressing your eye for six weeks.
- Water in taps, swimming pools, saunas, spas, and at the beach is all unsterile. Avoid swimming or submerging your head in water for at least three weeks.
- Do not splash water on your face and do not expose your face to foreign substances including soaps, cosmetics, and lotions for at least one week.
- Do not expose your eyes to debris or contaminants that may be dispersed in the air.
- Wash your hands often and use hand sanitiser.
Rest and Avoid Strenuous Activity
Allowing your body to rest will help your eye heal more quickly.
Take time off from house chores, lifting heavy things (even shopping bags), and the gym until your Ophthalmologist advises otherwise.
Give your body the best chance of recovering.
Follow Your Prescribed Eye Drops Regime
Your Ophthalmologist will give you one or more prescriptions for medicated eye drops to aid the healing of your eye and reduce the risk of infection.
It is important that you follow the regime set out by your surgeon.
Set reminders or alarms to help you keep track of your eye drops schedule.
Attend Your Post-Op Appointments
Your Ophthalmologist will have set out a plan for your post-op appointments.
It is important that you attend these appointments to help your surgeon monitor your recovery.
The first of which will generally be the day after your operation.
Seek Medical Attention
Urgently contact Eye Specialist Institute via our emergency 24/7 phone number 1800 RETINA (1800 738 462), if:
- o Your vision is getting worse, or you have increasing pain or ache in the eye.
- o You see any new floaters or flashes of light, or a falling curtain across your vision.
- o You have nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing.
Cataract Surgery on the Gold Coast
Our eye surgeons are available at three convenient clinic locations, equipped for the diagnosis, treatment and management of all eye-related conditions. Cataract surgery is performed by our Ophthalmologists at Short Street Day Surgery on the Gold Coast.