Precautions to Take after Cataract Surgery

Overview

Cataract surgery is also known as lens replacement surgery. It involves the removal of the natural lens of the human eye that has formed a cataract, a clouded or opaque area on the lens. After cataract surgery, taking specific precautions to safeguard the eye and refrain from particular activities for quicker eye recovery is crucial.

After cataract surgery, most patients can resume routine tasks within a couple of days or weeks. A few safety measures are essential to ensure complete healing and normal vision.

Keep reading to know more about cataract surgery cost, precautions and all the necessary information.

Importance of Following Precautions After Cataract Surgery

Following precautions after cataract surgery are crucial to ensure successful healing and optimal vision outcomes. These precautions, which may include avoiding strenuous activities, protecting the eyes from irritants, using prescribed eye drops, and attending follow-up appointments, help prevent complications, reduce the risk of infection, and promote proper recovery for improved vision and overall eye health.

Precautions to Take After Cataract Surgery

Every year, millions of people have successful cataract surgeries. Patients can return to their routine after this operation with comfort. The little incision on the outside of the eye starts to heal 24 hours after the treatment. Here are some precautions to remember as one recovers from cataract surgery.

Protect Eyes from All Irritants

It’s normal for the patient to experience a sensation of having something in their eye after the cataract surgery, like a lash or dust grain. The eyes may still be sensitive to their surroundings for at least a week following surgery.

In addition to shielding the patient from contact with dirt, pollen, and grime, wraparound sunglasses can assist with light sensitivity. To prevent touching or scratching of the eyes during this recuperation period, the eye doctor will also give the patient an eye guard to put on while sleeping.

Wash Face with Caution

The day following cataract surgery, people can take a shower or a bath, but they must be careful to avoid getting water in their eyes.

People must avoid splashing any water or soap in their eyes. Face should be cleaned with a washcloth to prevent spilling or irritating their eyes.

Avoid Intense Activities

To reduce the risk of increased eye pressure, patients should refrain from strenuous exercise and tasks that involve a great deal of lifting for a few weeks after the cataract surgery. Heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, straining, or bending can put pressure on the eye and potentially cause damage.

Additionally, activities that increase blood pressure or heart rate can impact the delicate blood vessels in the eye, leading to bleeding or increased inflammation.

Use Prescribed Eye Drops

After cataract surgery, a surgeon will give patients antibacterial and anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce eye puffiness. People must adhere to a doctor’s detailed instructions to use these eye drops appropriately. Unless a medical professional instructs otherwise, a patient must:

1. Wash their hands properly before using eye drops
2. Begin using the eye drops in the morning following surgery and exclusively on the damaged eye
3. Continue using eye drops unless a doctor says otherwise
4. One should never share eye drops with anyone to avoid infections.

Clean The Affected Eye Properly

Those who use eye drops may notice that their eyes grow sticky as they heal. People can take the following steps to clean their eyes after surgery and reduce stickiness:

• Boil some water, then let it cool.
• Wash hands
• In the warm water, dip cotton gauze.
• Carefully wipe the affected eye’s outer corner.

To ensure the eyes heal faster, one should always avoid the following:

• Wiping the eye.
• Washing the eye with water.
• Pressing on the eye.

Do Not Drive

One should wait at least 24 hours before getting behind the wheel after surgery. However, depending on the person, this period may differ. In light of their recovery, patients should speak with their eye doctor to determine when they can drive again safely. After cataract surgery, the world may appear brighter. Sunglasses or a specific pair of driving glasses may reduce the light that bright headlights shine into the patients’ eyes.

Follow Doctor’s Orders

The recuperation process is closely related to the guidelines provided by the doctor. The healthcare professional provides a more in-depth explanation of what the patients should avoid and the steps they should take.

A patient can write notes or ask for help conveying the specifics of all requirements on paper, as needed. It will hasten their recovery process.

Consult a Doctor Whenever Required

After cataract surgery, patients should seek medical attention promptly if they feel any of the following:

1. Pain in the eye
2. More redness than usual
3. Flashing lights
4. Loss of vision
5. Extreme coughs
6. A thick curtain of darkness drawing in vision or floaters
7. Vomiting sensations

Cataract Surgery Cost

The cataract surgery cost in India differs depending on the type of treatment, the intraocular lens used to treat the patient, the surgeon’s or doctor’s cost, hospital admission costs (which might vary depending on the city), facility costs, pharmaceutical costs, and any issues that may arise after the process (if any).

The price of cataract surgery is relatively high in India. Costs could range from ₹ 30,000 to ₹ 1,40,000. The cost varies according to the hospital in each city and the cataract eye procedure chosen. The following are some of the components of cataract surgery with their approximate prices:

1. Doctor Consultation Fee: ₹ 600
2. OPD Fee: ₹ 600
3. Diagnosis Tests: ₹ 2,500
4. Preoperative Cost: ₹ 4,000
5. Post-procedure Cost: ₹ 2,000
6. Lens Cost:
   1. Monofocal lens: ₹ 25,000 – ₹ 55,000 per eye
   2. Multifocal lens: ₹ 55,000 – ₹ 85,000 per eye
   3. Toric lens: ₹ 85,000 – ₹ 1,00,000 per eye

Takeaway

People will need to follow the advice of a healthcare professional after cataract surgery. These precautions can involve avoiding driving or engaging in vigorous activities. Wearing a shield while you sleep, eating wholesome foods, and using eye medications as the doctor prescribes can all assist with healing.

HexaHealth is a one-stop solution for patients who require cataract surgery. It assists patients throughout their surgical journey, from selecting the best surgeon and facility with trouble-free hospitalisations, insurance, financing, and post-operative recovery. So, why wait? Make an appointment right away!

References

• https://www.eyesolutions.in/cataract/precautions-after-cataract-surgery/
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/cataract-surgery-recovery-5-tips-from-an-expert
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-and-don-t-after-cataract-surgery
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/recovery/