Dos and Don'ts After Cataract Surgery

Jan Bond Chan

19 Jan 202106:33

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Dr. Chan Janbon from Isaac KL explains the do's and don'ts after cataract surgery. Patients typically experience mild discomfort, blurry or wavy vision, and should rest for 1-2 hours post-surgery. Driving is discouraged due to potential dizziness or nausea. Key post-op care includes avoiding eye rubbing, heavy lifting, bowing, and activities like swimming or strenuous exercise. Patients should be cautious around dust, avoid direct water contact with their eyes, and follow medication instructions. Recovery can range from days to months, depending on individual conditions and complications. Regular follow-ups ensure proper healing and vision restoration.

Takeaways

😌 **No Pain Expected**: Typically, there's no pain after cataract surgery, only some gritty sensation and discomfort.
👁️ **Blurred Vision Normal**: Post-surgery, blurry or wavy vision is normal and should clear up within a day.
🛌 **Rest Required**: It's advised to rest for one to two hours after surgery, avoiding any head shaking or bowing down.
🚗 **Transportation Advice**: Plan for someone else to drive you home as you may feel dizzy or nauseous post-surgery.
🚫 **Avoid Eye Rubbing**: Rubbing eyes can cause wound leaks and lens displacement, which is critical in the first two weeks.
🏋️‍♂️ **Limit Physical Activity**: Heavy lifting, straining, and intense exercises should be avoided to prevent complications.
💧 **Water Precautions**: Avoid getting water in your eyes, especially during bathing or washing your face.
🏊‍♂️ **No Swimming**: Swimming is prohibited to reduce the risk of infection from dirty water.
🍲 **Cooking Considerations**: It's best to avoid cooking; ask for help or prepare light meals if necessary.
🛌 **Sleeping Position**: Avoid sleeping face down; side or back sleeping is recommended.
💊 **Medication Adherence**: Follow the surgeon's instructions for eye drops, including antibiotics and steroids, for up to a month.

Q & A

What is the normal sensation after cataract surgery?
-After cataract surgery, it is normal to feel some gritty sensation and discomfort, and the vision may be blurry or wavy.
How long does one need to rest after cataract surgery?
-You will need to rest about one to two hours after your cataract surgery.
Why is it not recommended to drive after cataract surgery?
-It is not recommended to drive after cataract surgery because you may feel slightly giddy, nosier, or even vomiting at times, and the blurring of vision may last for one day.
What are the 'don'ts' after cataract surgery?
-After cataract surgery, you should not rub your eyes, lift heavy objects, bow down, splash water into your eyes, swim, do heavy exercises, cook, go to dusty places, or have sexual intercourse.
What is the recommended sleeping position after cataract surgery?
-You may sleep on your left, right, or straight, but not in a prone position after cataract surgery.
How long is the recovery period for cataract surgery?
-The recovery period ranges from just days up to months, but the usual time is one month.
What factors may prolong the recovery after cataract surgery?
-Factors that may prolong the recovery after cataract surgery include dry eyes, a swollen cornea, being a diabetic patient, or being a very old patient.
What happens during follow-up visits after cataract surgery?
-During follow-up visits, your vision and intraocular pressure will be checked, the wound will be inspected for proper healing and signs of infection, and the general well-being of the patient will be assessed.
What types of eye drops are typically prescribed after cataract surgery?
-Typically, you will be provided with antibiotics and steroid drops after cataract surgery.
How long is the medication required after cataract surgery?
-The medication is typically required up to one month after cataract surgery.
How should eye drops be administered after cataract surgery?
-Eye drops should be administered by washing hands first, opening the bottle cap, and instilling one drop into the lower eyelid or eye. After use, close the cap.

Outlines

00:00

👁️ Post-Cataract Surgery Recovery: What to Expect

Dr. Chan Janbon explains what patients can expect after cataract surgery, including potential discomforts such as gritty sensations, blurry vision, and slight dizziness. He advises patients to rest for one to two hours after surgery and to avoid head movements that could displace the lens, especially in those with high prescriptions. Driving is discouraged, and patients are recommended to pre-plan their transport home due to potential temporary visual impairment.

05:00

🚫 The Don'ts After Cataract Surgery

This section outlines critical post-surgery precautions to prevent complications. Patients are advised not to rub their eyes, lift heavy objects, or bow down, as these actions could disrupt the healing process and cause the lens to move. Avoidance of water splashing into the eyes, swimming, heavy exercises, cooking, and exposure to dusty or polluted environments is emphasized. Dr. Chan also mentions the risks of sexual activity due to potential wound leakage.

🛌 Special Considerations and Resting Tips

Patients are guided on how to sleep and what activities to avoid post-surgery. Sleeping positions such as lying on the left or right are acceptable, but sleeping face-down should be avoided. Activities such as using devices or watching TV are fine in moderation, but patients should take breaks to prevent eye strain. Recovery times may vary, with typical recovery spanning from a few days to a month, although more complex cases may take longer.

🩺 Follow-up Care and Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery

Dr. Chan elaborates on post-surgery follow-up visits, where vision and intraocular pressure are checked. These check-ups ensure that the patient’s recovery is on track and that no complications such as infections or high eye pressure arise. Patients are instructed to follow their surgeon’s advice on using prescribed antibiotic and steroid eye drops. Proper hand hygiene is stressed before applying drops, and the process of administering drops to oneself or others is explained in detail.

💧 Eye Drop Application and Final Notes

This final section provides a step-by-step guide on how to administer eye drops, whether for oneself or another person. Only one drop is needed, and hygiene is a priority throughout the process. Dr. Chan concludes by expressing hope that the video has provided helpful insights into post-cataract surgery care and recovery.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is a medical procedure to remove the cloudy lens in the eye, which causes blurred vision. The video focuses on post-surgery care, highlighting the importance of resting, avoiding certain activities, and proper use of medication to ensure a successful recovery.

💡Lens movement

Lens movement refers to the risk of the artificial lens implanted during cataract surgery shifting from its position. The video stresses the importance of avoiding actions like shaking the head, bowing down, or lifting heavy objects to prevent this complication.

💡Wound leak

A wound leak can occur if the surgical wound from cataract surgery does not heal properly, potentially causing fluid to leak from the eye. The video advises against rubbing the eyes, lifting heavy objects, and engaging in strenuous activities to avoid this issue.

💡Blurry vision

Blurry vision is a common temporary side effect after cataract surgery. The video mentions that this may last for a day or so, and patients are advised to avoid driving or other activities that require clear vision during this time.

💡Eye drops

Eye drops are an essential part of post-cataract surgery care, often consisting of antibiotics and steroids. The video provides instructions on how to properly instill eye drops, emphasizing the importance of hygiene and following the doctor’s prescribed schedule.

💡Intraocular pressure

Intraocular pressure refers to the fluid pressure inside the eye. After cataract surgery, it can increase due to medication or surgical factors. The video explains that this is monitored during follow-up visits to ensure it remains within a normal range.

💡Dry eyes

Dry eyes can be a side effect after cataract surgery, especially when engaging in activities like watching TV for prolonged periods. The video mentions this symptom and advises taking breaks to prevent discomfort.

💡Follow-up

Follow-up appointments are crucial after cataract surgery to monitor healing, check vision, and ensure the eye pressure is normal. The video stresses the importance of these visits for a successful recovery process.

💡Heavy lifting

Heavy lifting is strictly prohibited after cataract surgery as it can strain the eyes and cause a wound leak. The video specifies that objects weighing more than 10 kg, such as a pail of water, should not be lifted during recovery.

💡Recovery period

The recovery period after cataract surgery varies, typically lasting from days to a month, depending on the complexity of the surgery and individual factors. The video explains that in some cases, such as for older patients or those with pre-existing conditions, recovery may take longer.

Highlights

There is usually no pain after cataract surgery, though some discomfort and blurry or wavy vision may occur.

Patients should rest for 1-2 hours after surgery and avoid shaking or bowing their heads to prevent lens movement.

It’s important to pre-plan transportation home after surgery, as patients may feel giddy or experience blurred vision and cannot drive.

Do not rub your eyes after cataract surgery, as it can lead to wound leakage or lens displacement.

Avoid lifting objects heavier than 10 kg, as straining can lead to wound leakage.

Do not bow down within the first two weeks after surgery to avoid lens movement.

Avoid getting water in your eyes, especially while bathing or washing your face, as this may cause infection.

Swimming is discouraged after cataract surgery due to the high risk of infection from dirty water.

Heavy exercises such as mountain biking, jogging, badminton, and gym activities should be avoided; light exercises like walking or stationary cycling are recommended.

Avoid visiting dusty places or engaging in gardening or painting, as these can irritate the eyes.

Sexual intercourse is not recommended shortly after cataract surgery to prevent wound leakage or lens movement.

Patients should avoid prolonged use of devices like iPads and watching TV to prevent dry eyes and eye strain post-surgery.

Recovery from cataract surgery can take days to months, typically around one month, with longer recovery in cases of mature or complicated cataracts.

Post-surgery follow-ups will include checks on vision, intraocular pressure, and wound healing, as medications can cause side effects like high intraocular pressure.

Patients are advised to use antibiotics and steroid eye drops after surgery, following the doctor’s instructions to reduce their use over time.