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Cataracts Postoperative Care

Usually the eye is comfortable overnight. Depending on your type of anaesthesia, the eye may be numb for up to 24 hours. You may take Panadol or Panadeine if necessary for mild discomfort.

Drops and Shield

  • There are 2 types of drops to use after the operation once the patch has been removed the morning after surgery: One is a steroid and the other an antibiotic. These are used 4 times a day for the first week after the operation, and then variably after. Your doctor will give you instructions. It does not matter which is used first – just leave a couple minutes between them.
  • Apply the shield over your eye using strips of sticky tape placed diagonally from your forehead to your cheek. Do this for the first week to protect the eye from being bumped during sleep (as the eye is softer than usual).

**Important: Wash your hands before using the drops and the ointment. The drops may sting initially but this is normal.

Dos and Don’ts

  • You may bend and lift anything that you can lift with one arm.
  • You may have a shower, wash your hair and wash your face – for the first 3 days, avoid water getting into your eye, do not splash the eye directly with water.
  • If your lids get crusty, boil some water, let it cool and use a clean tissue to wipe around the eye. Do not re-use the tissue and do not use a towel, handkerchief or anything else that has been used near your mouth, nose or skin to wipe near the eye.
  • Golf and Bowls may be played after 3 days.
  • Please check with your doctor at the post op appointment before driving.
  • You can wear your old distance glasses after your operation, but you may find your vision is better without glasses.
  • We recommend wearing sunglasses for the first few days.
  • Don’t rub your eye.
  • Don’t use an eyebath to bathe the eye, as it is unnecessary and may result in infection.
  • Don’t swim for the first week, and then only with goggles for another week.

You will have follow up visits after your cataract operation: 1 day, then 1-3 weeks post-operatively. If there are any concerns about your eye, please contact Eastern Eye Centre immediately.