Cataract Surgery Home Care and Complications

Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland

A successful cataract surgery largely depends upon the post-operative care you receive at home. During your recovery period, you’ll want to take extra activity precautions, treat yourself with excellent eye care and administer all medications according to doctor’s instructions. Barring complications, the typical cataract surgery patient should be able to return to normal activities in a week.

If you are in the Baltimore area and need cataract surgery, the ophthalmologists at Katzen Eye Group can work with you toward achieving better vision.

Post-Operative Protection, Eye Care and Medication Instructions
EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following to all post-cataract surgery patients:

• Avoid injury by wearing a protective shield at night and with naps until you are advised by your doctor
• Do not sleep on the side of your operated eye for the first night
• Do not exert any pressure on the eyelids
• Place drops and ointment into the space between your eyeball and lower lid
• Do not touch the eyeball with either the dropper bottle or ointment tube

Activities to Avoid
Doing anything that might interfere with your wound is not advisable. Avoid anything that puts too much strain on the eye, like:

• Bending towards your feet – instead, bend the knees and keep your head above your shoulders. Buy slip on shoes or practice tying shoelaces in this position before surgery.
• Avoid all straining with pushing, pulling or lifting heavy objects for the first week
• If you have trouble with coughing, vomiting or constipation, notify your doctor.
• Prevent soap or shampoo from entering your eyes.
• No drinking alcohol 24 hours after surgery or while taking narcotic pain medication

Once proper requirements for vision are met, you may resume driving.

Complications and Knowing When to Call Your Doctor
Should you have any questions about your eye care, call your doctor for advice. A scratching sensation is to be expected, but if you have any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately:

• Unusual swelling
• Any decrease in vision
• Vomitting
• An increase in discharge
• An unusual amount of pain
• Any sudden change

By following these recommendations and your doctor’s instructions after cataract surgery, you will soon return to activities that might have been previously limited or halted due to previous poor eyesight. If you know of someone who is considering cataract surgery, Katzen Eye Group surgeons in Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland, are ready to take your cataract case. To schedule an appointment, please contact us by filling out the online form or giving us a call.