A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye that can cause you to see poorly, or even experience total blindness. The surgery involves replacing the lens inside your eye with an artificial one, giving you back the ability to clearly see and read. With new advances in technology and medicine, the surgery itself is generally as risk-free as possible.
However, the recovery period is a vulnerable time for the human body. It is during this period of healing that you are most likely to experience postoperative complications that might keep you from fully enjoying your newfound vision. Taking certain precautions beforehand can help you to recover more efficiently and quickly.
1. Protect Your Eyes
Never be too proud to wear a pair of sunglasses. Even though you may not see any signs of light sensitivity during the day, allow your eyes to rest in the dark at night. The retina is very sensitive to bright lights, and light can cause damage during recovery. During the day, wear wraparound sunglasses or protective goggles to keep dust and other particles from entering your eyes.
2. Prepare for Pain
It is impossible to completely avoid pain, but you can manage it. You will likely notice pain and discomfort almost immediately after the surgery. Talk to your doctor about the type of pain medication and dosages that are right for you, then carefully follow the instructions provided. Remember that over-the-counter drugs may cause drowsiness, which may slow down healing or increase your risk of falling.
3. What to Expect after Surgery
You should expect some amount of swelling and bruising around your eyes during recovery. To prevent infection, use clean gauze and wet compresses to clean around your eyes every couple of hours. This is normal, but any unusual pains or discoloration will likely be a sign of infection. Contact your doctor or go back to the hospital you had the surgery at immediately if this happens.
Be on the lookout for signs of dryness as well. It is common to have dry eyes after surgery, but if your eyes continue to feel excessively dry and gritty long after the surgical site has healed, contact your doctor immediately.
4. Embrace Help
You may feel that you can take care of yourself better with two open eyes than you could with one. However, the recovery period requires rest. If you have a lot of activity after surgery, you are more likely to experience complications like bleeding, infection, or pain. Staying in bed helps to reduce swelling and prevent unnecessary infections from setting in. Also, by allowing a loved one to do some of the cooking or cleaning for you, you won't have to worry about making a mistake that might damage your eyes. It is more important to recover well than it is to be an independent patient.
To learn more, contact an eye surgeon.
I was not that surprised to find out that all three of my children are short-sighted considering that I have worn glasses since I was five. Eye health in children is an important topic to know about because it can impact on their learning at school. I began this blog to share eye health tips I have received from our optometrist. My blog posts will cover all things eye health like explaining optometry appointments to children so they know what to expect, and how to tell your child needs a visit to the optometrist sooner than their annual checkup. Don't let eye issues stop your children from excelling at school.