• On the day of surgery, rest quietly at home • Do not rub your eye • Wash your hands before applying any eye drops • No heavy lifting for 2 weeks (after cataract surgery) or 1 month (after trabeculectomy) • No swimming for 6 weeks (after glaucoma surgery, for swimming advice, consult your eye doctor, you may always need to protect your eyes while swimming) • Do not drive after eye surgery until you feel safe to do so • Do not use a hankerchief to wipe away any tears; use a clean disposable tissue • No eye makeup (for 2 weeks after cataract surgery, for 2 months after glaucoma surgery)
The morning after surgery
• Gently remove the eye shield • Wash your hands • With a sterile cotton bud, clean your eyelids with cool boiled water. Wipe from the nose outwards. You may gently pull down on the eyelid to do this. • Wash the shield in warm soapy water • Wear the shield at night for 5 days, or unless advised by your ophthalmologist
What to expect after surgery
• Your eye may ache or be gritty for the first 12 hours after surgery. Regular strength painkillers should suffice. After cataract or glaucoma surgery, often there is very little discomfort, but occasionally due to surface corneal dryness, there can be significant sharpness or a gritty feeling that may take 24 hours to improve. Generally, any discomfort should get better day by day. If you are concerned, please contact your ophthalmologist directly.
• Your eye may water alot after surgery. This is normal. You may also experience double vision. Again this is normal in the first few days, and any double vision should wear off after 24 hours.
• You may experience some excess sensitivity to light. This usually improves over 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. Sunglasses may help.
The information on our website is for educational purposes only and is not to replace a consultation with an eye care professional. The condition of each patient is unique and needs to be evaluated properly before any decision can be taken. For appointments with Mr P Galloway contact: BUPA Hospital Leeds, Jackson Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 1NT, UK. T:0113 269 3939; for Mr Burnett please click here.