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

• Wash your hands before applying the eye drops
• Seat yourself comfortably

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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

 OVS.TS.05.0225