Patient reminder before vitreoretinal surgery

After surgery, your eye will be covered with a bandage to protect it from accidental contamination. The bandage should be removed once you arrive home. You may clean your eyelids (not the eye itself) with sterile cotton moistened with a 0.02% furacilin solution or a 0.25% levomycetin solution (available at pharmacies). Starting from the first day after surgery, the operated eye should not remain constantly covered with a bandage, as this prevents free blinking and movement.

On the day of surgery and during the rehabilitation period, you may experience pain in the operated eye or the surrounding area (eyebrow, temple). In case of pain, it is advisable to take tablets such as “Ketanov”, “Ketorol”, or “Analgin” (according to the instructions for these medications) and contact your doctor.

REHABILITATION PERIOD

The recommendations provided are general and developed for most patients. In case of individual postoperative specifics, your doctor may suggest a personalized treatment plan and follow-up schedule. Please clarify the recommendations at each visit!

• Regimen. Following surgery, adhering to the prescribed regimen may have therapeutic value. After the operation, your surgeon or attending physician will provide instructions for the first 24 hours. Later, you should confirm the specific postoperative regimen with your doctor.
• Hygiene. Avoid getting soap and water into your eye when washing your face. When washing your hair, tilt your head back, not forward. If water gets into the operated eye, rinse it with a 0.02% furacilin solution or a 0.25% levomycetin solution (available at pharmacies).
• Be sure to visit your doctor on the appointed day!
• Eye drops are necessary for faster healing and to prevent infections. Typically, after surgery, your surgeon will prescribe several drops: antibiotic drops (e.g., “Floxal”, “Oftaquix”, “Tobrex”), anti-inflammatory drops (e.g., “Nevanac”, “Indocollyre”), or combined medications (“Maxitrol”, “Tobradex”, etc.).

VISUAL ACUITY DURING THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD

Vision improvement occurs gradually over the first 2–3 months after surgery. In some patients, visual acuity continues to improve for up to six months. This process may be slower in patients with myopia, diabetes, systemic diseases, retinal detachment, retinal tears, epiretinal membranes, or in elderly patients.

During healing and rehabilitation, your eyes may differ in vision. You may need temporary glasses or contact lenses to compensate for this. Final correction with glasses is usually recommended 2–3 months after surgery, although this may vary individually, especially if the operated eye is your only seeing eye.

As vision recovers, some patients may experience distortions of lines and objects or double vision. These symptoms usually diminish gradually over several weeks or months.

FURTHER CARE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Postoperative restrictions will gradually be lifted. We offer several useful recommendations that will help preserve your vision:

• Do not drive until your vision has fully recovered.
• Do not rub or press on the operated eye.
• Take regular breaks while reading or watching TV.
• Whenever possible, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation.
• Follow your scheduled follow-up visits with your doctor.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GAS. If gas was introduced into your eye during the final stage of surgery, the postoperative period will have certain specifics. During the first few days, your visual acuity will be very low, as gas prevents light from reaching the retina. As the gas is absorbed (approximately 10–15 days), the upper part of your field of vision will begin to clear, and you may notice a visible “fluid level,” which changes with head movement. Around 7–10 days after surgery, when less than one-third of the gas remains, the single bubble may split into several smaller ones. In some patients, gas expansion (up to 3 days post-surgery) may cause an increase in intraocular pressure, accompanied by pain and redness. In such cases, contact your doctor immediately!

SILICONE. If liquid silicone was introduced into the eye, keep in mind that while it remains inside, your vision may require correction with glasses (usually from +4.0 to +6.0 diopters). Silicone removal is typically performed no earlier than 3 months after surgery. Please note that silicone may accelerate cataract formation and increase intraocular pressure, especially in the early postoperative period. Silicone removal is a separate procedure and is billed separately.

FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETES. At the final stage of surgery or during the postoperative period, an anti-inflammatory drug solution (“Dexamethasone”, “Diprospan”, “Kenalog”) may be injected near the eye. Despite the small dose (no more than 0.5 ml), some diabetic patients may experience a temporary increase in blood glucose levels for 1–2 days after the injection. Please be cautious!

RULES FOR APPLYING 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 your eye without touching the eye or lashes.
5. Gently pull down your lower eyelid.
6. Look upward and squeeze the bottle slightly so that a drop falls into the space between the eye and the lower eyelid.
7. Close your eyes.
8. To increase absorption and reduce systemic side effects, press the inner corner of the eye with your index finger (through a sterile tissue).
9. If multiple drops are prescribed, wait about 5 minutes between applications. Pressure-lowering drops should be applied last.
10. Close the bottle and store it as directed.