Ambulatory Surgery Unit: Adult-Cataract Surgery: Post-Operative Home Instructions

Go to the office tomorrow at your scheduled appointment time.  Tearing on the day of surgery is normal.  Some patients may have a headache, blurring sensation, soreness, achiness or scratchiness around operative eye.  This is normal.  Take Tylenol for discomfort.  Some patients may have blurred or shadowy vision.  This should become clearer with healing time.  Bring eye drop kit with you to office.  The doctor will remove your eye shield in the office.

PROTECT EYE AT ALL TIMES!

1. Wear eye shield at night and for naps.

2. Wear glasses during the day - be especially careful when putting glasses on so you do not bump your eye.

3. Protect eye from sunlight and glare at all times with sunglasses and/or cover on eyeglasses.

4. Head should not be jostled or jammed.

5. Do not rub, bump, hit or touch the operative eye.  Wash around the operative eye.

6. Do not sleep on operative side.

INSTILLATION OF EYE DROPS

1. Shake eye drops before using.

2. Make a small pouch with lower lid and place drop in pouch.

3. Instill eye drops five (5) minutes apart.

4. Keep eyes gently closed for one (1) minute after instilling eye drops.

ACTIVITY:

1. May bend at waist and neck as required, but not below level of waist.

2. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity (over 15-20 lbs.)

3. May read and watch television with moderation.

4. Gentle sexual activity permitted.

5. May ride in car, but not over rough roads until the doctor tells you.

6. May shampoo hair gently being careful not to get soap in your eye.  Shampoo hair beauty parlor style.

7. May shave.  Have shower water hit you from the neck down.

All these restrictions stya in effect until the doctor tells you differently.

CALL DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ANY SEVERE, SHARP PAIN OR MARKED DECREASE IN VISION, ANY UNCONTROLLED NAUSEA OR VOMITING.

If you have any questions regarding this Instruction Sheet, call the Ambulatory Surgery Unit between the hours of 7 A.M. and 6 P.M. at 534-9103.

If you have any problems or complications, notify Dr. Polito, Glass or Ashman at 536-5343.  Call Dr. Krell at 535-8314.  If your physician is unavailable, call the Department of Emergency Medicine at 534-9100.

We will be calling you in a few days to check your progress.  Your comments will help us in planning our future care.