Eye Care Tips After Cataract Surgery

Eye Care Tips After Cataract Surgery Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences It is advisable for you to follow the instructions below to care for your eyes after cataract surgery.

How to use and store your eye medication

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Wash your hands before applying the eye drops Seat yourself comfortably

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Tilt your head back, look upwards and pull the lower eyelid down with one hand With the other hand, instil one drop into your operated eye

Shake the bottle and remove the cap. Avoid touching the nozzle of the bottle.

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Gently close your eye for 5 minutes after applying the eye medication. Wipe off any excess eye medication that overflows onto your cheek with a clean piece of tissue paper

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Keep the eye drops in a cool dry place and discard the bottle one month after opening If more than one type of eye drop is prescribed for the same eye, wait for 5 minutes before instilling the second eye drop If an ointment is prescribed, always instil the eye drops before applying the ointment Please bring along your eye medication during your visits to the eye clinic and ask your doctor if you have any medication queries If a drug allergy develops, stop the eye medication immediately and consult a doctor

Physical activity, diet and other medication • You may rest in any position comfortable to you but you should avoid direct pressure on your operated eye • You may read or watch television • You may resume most of your normal physical activities one day after surgery unless advised otherwise by your eye surgeon

You may continue your usual diet after surgery If you are on medication for any pre-existing illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, please continue your usual medication after surgery

Eye glasses or spectacles • After surgery, you may use your existing pair of eye glasses if you still find them useful and comfortable • Your doctor will check your operated eye 4 – 6 weeks after surgery for the stabilised eye power to make spectacles Follow-up visits • Remember to keep your eye appointment after surgery • The schedule of your reviews after surgery will depend on your eye condition Postoperative symptoms • You may experience mild discomfort, tearing and a scratchy sensation in your operated eye after surgery • You may take over-the-counter pain killers that you are not allergic to, for pain relief. If the pain persists, you should seek medical attention.

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Apply the eye drops as prescribed by your surgeon For the first week after surgery, wear the rigid plastic eye shield over the operated eye when you sleep, this helps to prevent accidental injury to your eye during sleep

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Wipe off any discharge from your operated eye with a clean cotton ball moistened with boiled water or saline Wear sunglasses outdoors if your eyes feel more comfortable with them •

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Avoid vigorous coughing, sneezing or straining Avoid crowded/ dusty places Avoid carrying children who may accidentally hit your operated eye Avoid sudden head bending Do not rub or injure your operated eye Do not allow water or soap to enter your operated eye during the first month after surgery.

During this period, you may wipe your face with a damp cloth and shampoo your hair by tilting your head backwards.

See your eye doctor the next day for review

Note: If you are discharged with an eye pad over your operated eye, keep the pad in place until your eye appointment the next day.

Do not swim or do strenuous exercises during the first month after surgery

You should contact the hospital immediately if you have any of the following symptoms in the operated eye:

Severe eye pain

Worsening of vision

Excessive discharge and redness

Headache, nausea and/or vomiting

Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group in the north of Singapore. It comprises Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital and community extensions such as Admiralty Medical Centre and Wellness Kampung.

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.

OVS.TS.05.1123