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MM-Cataract
After Surgery
PAGE 2
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BSc, MD, FRCS(C), Diplomate of the
American Board of Ophthalmology
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Instructions For Dr. McFadden’s
Cataract Patients
Once Your Cataract Surgery is Complete
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Some Helpful Hints
After You Have
Had Cataract Surgery
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DO
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continue taking all of your normal medications prescribed by your other doctors.
use the prescribed eye drops as directed, leaving at least 5 minutes between each drop.
wear your plastic shield while you sleep for the first week.
take two regular-strength acetaminophen tablets every four hours for any discomfort or headache, but do not take more than this amount.
report to your doctor any severe pain, redness that doesn’t go away with the eye drops, a sudden decrease in vision, flashes of light, or an increased number of floaters.
feel free to take up most of your regular activities, such as exercise, within a few days.
wear appropriate protective eyewear for sports.
resume bathing, showering and using shampoo immediately, but do not rub your eye.
resume driving when you are able to see properly, or ask Dr. McFadden if in doubt.
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DON'T
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drive yourself home after
the surgery.
rub the eye or put anything
into it except the eye drops prescribed by Dr. McFadden.
lift anything heavier than
about 9 kg (20 lb.) for the
first week after surgery.
go swimming until Dr. McFadden says you can.
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What activities should I avoid after cataract surgery?
You can resume most of your regular activities within a few days, including exercise and sports (be sure to use protective eyewear).
Once Dr. McFadden gives you the go-ahead, you can drive. Feel free to bathe or shower and use shampoo as cleanliness decreases the risk of infection, but don’t rub your eye.
It is recommended that you avoid makeup for at least 2 weeks. Your new intra-ocular lens protects your eye against ultraviolet light (just as your natural lens did), however some people feel more comfortable with sunglasses.
You should not go swimming until the doctor says you can (about two weeks), because the water in pools can cause inflammation or harbour infectious viruses or bacteria.
You should not lift anything heavier than 9 kg (20 lb.) for the first week after surgery, as the exertion may cause discomfort in your eye.
Is there an easy way to put in eye drops?
If you need help, Dr. McFadden or your nurse can offer a few tips. Some people prefer to have someone else put eye drops in for them. Another way to make the task easier is to lie down (this is particularly useful for people who have difficulty tilting their head back because of arthritis or neck problems). In this way, your eyes are in the correct position and the drops can simply ”fall” in. You can pull the lower eyelid out slightly to make a pocket for the drops, but this is not necessary.
Once the drops are in, you may keep your eyes closed for a few minutes to minimize the temporary burning sensation that many eye drops cause. Gently blot any excess medication.
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Download a PDF file of both pages of these instructions
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