Post Operative Care After Cataract Surgery

When the natural lens inside the eye behind the iris becomes clouded, you are said to have a cataract. The lens focuses light on the retina. If the lens is clear then the images appear without distortion. If the lens becomes clouded then images get distorted. Then cataract surgery would be necessary to correct vision. Post operative care after cataract surgery is also very important.

Cataract is the result of the normal aging process. Formation of cataract could be due to a variety of other reasons also. Some of the reasons are

• Diabetes
• Exposure to ultraviolet light
• Smoking
• Medications like cortisones

Cataract can appear on one eye or both eyes simultaneously. Your vision will be increasingly impaired as clouding of the lens increases. Using glasses or contact lenses will not improve the vision.

The only solution will be to have a surgery. At present a technique called as the phaco-emulsification is being used for cataract surgery. A small incision is made in the eye and the clouded lens is broken into pieces by ultrasound. Then it is sucked out by vacuum. A small foldable lens is inserted through the incision. The results are dramatic. You will be able to see clearly almost immediately.

However some post surgery precautions need to be taken.

• Stay at home quietly for the next 2-3 days
• Don’t rub your eyes
• Don’t let your eyes come into contact with water or soap for a week
• Never lift any heavy object

You have to keep wearing dark glasses that will be provided by your health care provider, 24 hours a day for a week. This is to prevent the dust from getting into your eyes. The glasses will also prevent you from rubbing your eyes. But you can watch TV and get back to work. But it is extremely important to avoid dusty atmosphere.

You have to apply the eye drops, ointments and other medications prescribed by your doctor. Make it a point to wash your hands with soap before applying the medication. You have to use the sterilized medicated strips provided by your doctor to wipe off any excess medication that comes out of the eye. Alternately you can cut surgical cotton into small square strips and put it in a pressure cooker inside a dry vessel. Take it out 15 minutes after the pressure develops. Then the cotton will be sterilized and can be used. It is possible that you may have watery eyes for a few days after the surgery. You need to contact your doctor immediately if

• You feel pain in your eyes
• Suddenly see flashes of light
• You see things floating across your eye

All good hospitals will generally have adequate facilities to take care of such problems. Post operative care after cataract surgery is extremely important.