About Cataract Surgery

There are very few restrictions following cataract surgery and you should be able to resume normal activities almost immediately.

As with any operation, post operative complications are possible, though rare. To avoid problems, please take care to understand and follow these post-operative instructions.

The day of your surgery

• You will be given a prescription for drops which needs to be filled and the drops brought with you on your first post-operative visit.
• If a pad or shield has been placed on your eye, please leave this on unless the eye is painful. If necessary, our staff will remove this for you.
• Use your normal analgesic e.g. Panadol or Panadeine for post-op discomfort. Avoid aspirin because it may increase bleeding..

The day following surgery

• Please bring the drops with you on the first post-operative visit. It is very important that the drops are put in correctly following cataract surgery.
• At first, it is best to have the drops put in by someone else, such as a friend, relative or community nurse.
• The drops are used daily, with decreasing frequency, for about 4 weeks following surgery.
• The order of drops is not as important as the need to separate them by about 4-5 minutes so that the second drop does not wash the first out.
• Try to establish a routine, eg the larger bottle first.

Post-operative visits

Normally, we check at one day, 10 days and two months. Glasses can be changed after about three weeks.

How to apply the drops properly

1. Tilt the head back (i.e. lift chin up)
2. Pull the lower lid down to form a small pocket. Avoid touching the top lid.
3. Let a drop fall into the middle of the lid without touching the bottle to the eye or lid.
4. Close the eyes gently for 1-2 minutes, then blink.
5. Gently wipe away any unabsorbed drops and tears before you open your eyes. Do not rub the eye.
6. Repeat with the second bottle of drops, 4-5 minutes later.

If you are routinely using any other eye drops, e.g. for glaucoma, ask about continuing these when you visit for check-ups. If in doubt, continue.

Typically, cataract surgery has no stitches. Occasionally they are required for safety and you will be advised of this.

You can drive as soon as you feel visually comfortable. Be aware that distance judgment is often greatly changed and has to be relearned over many weeks.

It is advisable to wear your normal glasses or sunglasses during the day to protect your eye and please avoid any activity which may cause you to bump, rub or press on your eye.

Shower and wash your face and hair as you normally would. Avoid splashing water or soap directly into the eye. To dry, pat gently around the eye.

Some people experience double vision for a short time following surgery. This will usually resolve in the first 24 hours.

Normal daily activities, including sex, may be resumed almost immediately but avoid strenuous activities for about a month. Remember to resume any medications ceased prior to surgery. Simply be sensible.

LONG TERM CARE

Do not be disappointed if you do not see well immediately after your operation. Vision may take weeks to stabilise.

Some people will need to wear glasses for distance and most will need reading glasses after cataract surgery. Glasses are prescribed after a few weeks.

It is important to remember that cataract surgery will not correct poor vision caused by other eye problems such as macula degeneration (ageing of the back of the eye), glaucoma and diabetic changes.

Over 95% of patients will have improved vision after cataract surgery. A small number may have problems. Infection, bleeding and detachment of the retina are some of the more serious complications. Uncommonly, moderate blurring of central vision between 3 and 12 weeks post-operatively may develop even with uncomplicated operations. This condition, cystoid macula oedema, usually recovers over many weeks and necessitates additional treatment. It is more common in those with a history of retinal inflammatory disease, previous or surgical eye trauma or systemic inflammatory conditions.

Any sudden change in the nature of your sight or eye should be reported to us immediately. Please don't wait until your next scheduled appointment.

It is important to contact our staff without delay if you experience any of the following:

1. Pain not relieved by normal analgesics.
2. Sudden change in vision including blurring, cobwebs, flashing lights or dark clouds.
3. Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing.
4. Injury to the eye.

POSTERIOR CAPSULE OPACIFICATION and the YAG LASER

Vision may slowly blur some months to years after cataract removal in about two thirds of cases. This is due to clouding of the capsule or membrane which supports the implant lens (IOL). A once off YAG laser treatment can correct this. It is short and painless, not requiring an anaesthetic or theatre visit.

Remember our staff are here to help and to answer your questions.