Treatment and aftercare

On the day of surgery, you will be welcomed and admitted to the unit by Netcare staff. After you have been admitted to the ward, eye drops will be put into your eyes by a nurse to dilate the pupil. Your vision will be blurred. From here, you will be taken into theatre.

In the theatre, the area around your eye will be cleaned with a surgical skin cleanser containing iodine and your head and chest will be covered with sterile sheets, leaving the eye exposed for surgery. The consultant eye surgeon will then perform the procedure.

The total time you will be in the unit is around three hours. We recommend someone else takes you home after your surgery, but it is not necessary for them to stay with you throughout the night.

It is very important that you follow carefully the following instructions regarding post-operative care of your eye:

Post-operative checklist

DO NOT RUB YOUR EYE.

1. Keep your eye shield on until the morning: No eyedrops are required on the day of surgery, but you must start the morning after surgery. Sleep with the shield on for 1 (one) week.
2. A scratchy, gritty feeling in the operated eye is normal for 7-10 days.
3. Pain: If you have discomfort we suggest that you take a pain reliever such as Paracetamol every 4-6 hours in accordance with correct dosage. (Avoid Aspirin unless it has been prescribed). It is safe to take other pain-killers which you are used to taking. If the pain is not controlled by oral pain medication, please contact the mobile unit.
4. Phone the unit immediately if you experience:
   
   • Throbbing pain occurs in or around the operated eye
   • A severe frontal headache with or without nausea and vomiting
   • Progressive deterioration of vision or loss of vision
   • Increasing redness in your eye
5. Blurred vision on the first day post operatively is to be expected. If your vision gradually improves during the day and does not deteriorate you do not need to worry.
6. Sensitivity to bright light is usual for a few days. Wear unglasses if necessary.
7. Glasses: Do not ask your optician to change the prescription until you have had your 4 week post operative visit. It is normal for the prescription of your operated eye to have changed. Feel free to experiment with your glasses, you will not harm your vision. Try glasses on or off for different distances. Your optician may be able to remove a lens for you.
8. Driving and machinery: Do not drive or operate machinery for 48 hours if sedation has been used. Otherwise, 24 to 48 hours is an appropriate delay.
   
   • You must be able to read a car registration plate from 25 yards away, with or without glasses.
   • If you are relying on the operated eye to be able to drive, it is not guaranteed that your eyesight without glasses will be good enough; you may require a change in spectacles, which would be prescribed at 4-5 weeks.
   • You must not have double vision.
   • Please be aware that your judgement of distance may change following cataract surgery, and it may take a little time to get used to the new visual experience.
   • You should speak to your a ppropriate insurance company, as they may have other requirements.
9. Glaucoma: Continue your drops as usual, please use a new bottle of drops. Leave an interval of 5 minutes between eyedrops.


10. Dry or gritty eyes: Some lubricant eyedrops from your optician or chemist will help. Usually 4-5 times per day is appropriate. Occasionally the drops need to be used for some months.
11. If you run out of drops please see your GP, who should be able to prescribe another bottle. Although the bottles appear small, the 2 bottles supplied, should last 4 weeks.
12. Make-up: face make-up can be used immediately. Do not rub, or put any pressure on your eye. It is best to avoid eye make-up, mascara and eyeliner for 2 weeks.
13. Hairwashing and showering: Avoid getting stinging soap in your eye as this causes the eye to be rubbed or squeezed. Use baby shampoo. Do not rub.your eye.
14. Exercise and sport:
    • Workouts: Do 50% weight and repetition for 2 weeks, then resume full regime.
    
    
    • Golf, Bowls etc no restriction
    • Squash, and Badminton. Eye protection is required for ever.
    • Tennis, eye protection is required for 3 months.
    • Swimming, watersports and diving. Not until your eyedrops are finished. (For diving, also see flying)


15. Flying. For uncomplicated surgery, there is no restriction for commercial flights.
    • For other aircraft, maximum is negative 2G for 2 weeks. No restriction on positive G
    • For complicated surgery, as above, unless the surgeon has placed a gas bubble in the eye (about 1 in 3000 operations), whence all flying (and Diving) is prohibited until the gas has completely absorbed.


16. Alcohol: If you have been given sedation, do not take alcohol for 24 hours under any circumstances. Otherise, moderate consumption is acceptable, and can be a pleasant relaxation following a day of stress. However you should remain in control at all times, as a fall onto the eye at this stage could cause severe damage.
17. Work: Most people return to work 7 (seven) days after surgery. For dusty and dirty occupations, please return at 14 days. For unusual occupations, please contact us.
18. FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT
    Your follow-up appointment will usually be scheduled within 3/4 weeks after surgery. The date and time of your appointment will be on page 2 of the discharge letter given to you by the receptionist. With regards to transport to and from your follow-up – All taxis are arranged by your PCT. If you had a taxi arranged by the PCT to bring you to surgery, a taxi will automatically be arranged for you on the day of your follow-up appointment.
19. Remember: Do not rub your eye.

• What is a cataract?
• The cataract operation
• Important post-operative information
• Success rates
• Some things to be considered before your operation
• Data protection
• Complaints