Patient note after cataract surgery

BEFORE THE SURGERY

You should schedule a preoperative appointment with an ophthalmic surgeon and an anesthesiologist in advance (preferably a week before). It is advisable to bring medical reports from previous examinations or surgeries to the consultation.

ON THE DAY OF SURGERY

• Have a light breakfast, avoiding foods with strong odors (such as onions or garlic).
• Be sure to take all medications you take regularly. The medication regimen remains unchanged on the day of surgery and during the postoperative period.
• After the surgery, your eye will be covered with a protective patch to prevent accidental contamination. You may remove the patch once you arrive home.
• You may clean your eyelids (but not the eye itself) with sterile cotton soaked in a 0.02% aqueous solution of furacilin or a 0.25% aqueous solution of chloramphenicol (available at pharmacies).
• Starting from the first day after surgery, there is no need to keep the eye covered with a patch continuously.

REHABILITATION PERIOD

The following recommendations are general and designed for most patients. In specific cases, your doctor may suggest an individualized treatment plan and follow-up schedule. Please clarify the recommendations during each appointment.

• Regimen. Following the recommended regimen after surgery can have a therapeutic effect. Your surgeon or attending physician will advise you on what to do on the first day after surgery. Later, clarify any postoperative restrictions with your doctor.
• Hygiene. When washing your face, avoid getting soap or water into your eye. When washing your hair, tilt your head backward, not forward. If water gets into the operated eye, rinse it with a 0.02% furacilin solution or a 0.25% chloramphenicol solution (available at pharmacies).
• Be sure to visit your doctor on the scheduled day!
• Eye drops are needed for faster healing and to prevent infections. Typically, the surgeon will prescribe several types of drops — antibiotic drops, anti-inflammatory drops, or combination preparations.

VISUAL ACUITY IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

Vision recovery occurs gradually. In the first few days after surgery, vision may be blurry due to mild corneal swelling or pupil dilation (which usually resolves within a week). The operated eye’s vision is usually fully restored within one month, so selecting glasses (for monofocal IOL) is recommended after this period. You may have your glasses prescribed locally or at our medical center.

RULES FOR USING EYE DROPS

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Open the bottle.
3. Tilt your head back or lie down and look upward.
4. Hold the bottle upside down above the eye, without touching the eye or eyelashes.
5. Gently pull down your lower eyelid with your fingers.
6. Look upward and squeeze the bottle slightly to release one drop into the space between the eyeball and the lower eyelid.
7. Close your eyes.
8. To enhance absorption and minimize systemic side effects, gently press the inner corner of your eye (through a sterile tissue) with your finger.
9. If you are using multiple drops, wait about 5 minutes between each application.
10. Close the bottle and store it as directed.