Will I have pain?
Some discomfort is normal and expected following
surgery. The first few days after surgery you may need
to use prescription pain pills. Discomfort should
gradually decrease and Tylenol, Aspirin or Advil should
be sufficient to relieve pain. If the pain worsens, call
the doctor.
Do I need to wear an
eye patch?
You do not need to wear an eye patch at home, once the
drainage has stopped - usually within 3-4 days. However,
you may be more comfortable wearing a patch outside in
the sun, when sleeping or napping, or in a dusty, windy
environment.
How much drainage
should I have?
You may expect a moderate amount of drainage for a week.
Gradually, the drainage should decrease. The lids can be
cleaned with a clean washcloth and gentle soap or
diluted baby shampoo. Wipe the eyelids gently from the
nose outward.
Will there be
swelling?
Some swelling is normal for about a week after which it
will gradually decrease. Applying a cool compress, using
a clean washcloth, for 5-10 minutes several times a day
may reduce the swelling and make you more comfortable.
Will I need to use eye
drops?
You will be given several different kinds of eye drops
or ointment  (salve) when you leave the hospital. The
directions will be on each bottle. The drop with the red
top will keep your eye dilated and may make your eye
more sensitive to light. Wearing sunglasses may help.
The other drop is a combination antibiotic-steroid to
prevent infection and promote healing. Occasionally a
third drop is used to control the pressure in your eye.
You will be using drops from four to eight weeks. Bring
all eye medications (drops, ointments, or pills) with
you to each visit.
Always wash your hands
before putting in the eye drops. You may wish to have
someone else help you. Pull down on the lower lid and
squeeze one drop from the bottle, being careful not to
touch the dropper to your eye or eyelid. One drop is
sufficient, but another may be used if the first did not
go into the eye. It is often easier to put in the drops
if you are reclining or lying down. Wait five (5)
minutes after the first drop before using the second
drop to allow the medications to absorb into the eye.
How long will it take
for my vision to improve?
You vision should gradually improve, but it may take up
to six months to regain your best vision. Frequently,
air or gas bubbles are injected into the eye at the time
of surgery. This will blur your vision significantly at
first. As the bubble becomes smaller it will cause a
black line in your vision that moves as you move your
head. As the bubble becomes smaller you may notice that
it looks more like a bubble or that it will break up
into several smaller bubbles. It will take from a few
days to a few weeks for the bubble to dissolve and be
replaced by body fluid.
You may notice floaters
or double vision after your surgery. These symptoms
usually will decrease with time. If the double vision is
bothersome, patching the eye may help.
If you notice a sudden
worsening in your vision, call your doctor.
Are there any physical
restrictions after surgery?
If an air or gas bubble was placed in the eye during
surgery, you will be asked to spend most of your time
(both awake and during the night) with your head in a
specific position, frequently face down. As the eye
heals and the bubble dissolves, there will be less of a
need for you to stay in that specific position. You
should avoid sleeping on your back until the bubble has
totally dissolved and you have been given permission
form your surgeon.
If you should require any
other surgery under general anesthesia, have your
surgeon or anesthetist contact us prior to your surgery.
You may resume most of
your activities around the house including most routine
chores. Do not bend over or move suddenly, and avoid
straining or lifting more than 20 pounds. Bending should
be from the knees, to keep your head above your heart.
You may resume your usual
sexual activities about one week after surgery.
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