Instructions After Surgery
By David F. Chang MD
Postoperative Instructions & Eye Drops
- OMNI eye drops: use one drop TWICE daily. These are prescribed for most cataract patients.
- Some patients will be given Ketorolac and/or Lotemax as an alternative to OMNI – and these are also both used TWICE daily.
- Artificial tears (optional): These are over-the-counter lubricating drops, and they are optional. They contain no medication and don’t require a prescription. However, the front surface of the eye (the cornea) can temporarily be drier after surgery. An occasional sandy or sharp feeling may result. Using artificial tears up to 4 times daily can improve the overall comfort of the eye. Available at pharmacies and grocery stores, any of the many available brands work well for most patients. If you have never used them, Systane Complete or Systane Hydration are popular brands of “unpreserved” artificial tears.
Use your drops (e.g. OMNI) after lunch and again after dinner on the day of surgery. If you return home later in the afternoon, then just use the drops after dinner. It is normal that some drops may sting. Close the eye gently for a minute after instilling a drop. Drops placed in one eye never affect the opposite eye. If you think you missed but are not sure, it is safe to instill another drop. It is impossible to “overdose” the eye with drop medications.
If both eyes have undergone surgery, you can use the same bottle for both eyes. Please refer to Chapter 7 (on postop care) of Dr. Chang’s cataract book for helpful hints and illustrations. Postop eye drop medications should be continued for 4-6 weeks after surgery for each eye. If you run out after 2 or 3 weeks, it is best to refill them. Because they help the comfort of the eye, you always have the option to use them even longer to finish what is left in the bottle(s). In other words, many patients use them completely up. They are harmless and help to suppress any unwanted inflammation inside of the eyeball.
Refills: We always authorize multiple refills on your original prescription that was sent to the pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy directly (i.e., not our office) for refills. If you used OSRX mail order pharmacy for your OMNI drops, call them directly 855-466-1076 and they will mail the refills directly to your home.
NEXT POSTOP APPOINTMENT:
Visual Recovery: Be patient. You should not expect to see well immediately after any eye operation, and you may be very blurry for at least several days. Typically, the vision is clear and more stable by 1 week following surgery. There is normal variability in the recovery rate between different patients, and even between both eyes of the same patient. Advanced cataracts are associated with a longer period of blurry vision. Although it is natural, comparing the recovery of one eye to another (or to that of a friend or relative) often raises unnecessary concern over normal differences. The amount of initial blur during the first week has no bearing on your final vision. Optimal focus for both reading and far distance may require your eyeglass prescription to be updated.
Normal discomfort on the day of surgery: Your eye received many anesthetic drops during surgery. While numb, the eye lacks the normal reflex to frequently blink or close, and this often leads to the front surface (the cornea) getting very dry. This may cause scratchiness, a burning or sandy sensation, and reflex watering. Taking a nap after you return home, or otherwise keeping the eye closed if it is scratchy, will usually help with this discomfort. This is also why the eye typically feels much better the following morning, after the eyelids have been closed all night.
Other normal early postoperative symptoms: eye watering and redness; a scratchy or sandy sensation; stinging with the eye drops; blurry, fluctuating, or shimmering vision; sensitivity to bright lights; a curved shadow or light reflection off to the side; some halos at night. The pupil may be slightly larger or smaller for the first 2 days. Since the artificial lens blocks ultraviolet light, sunglasses are optional for comfort, but not required for safety.
Activities: Because it’s tender, avoid pressing or rubbing the eye for 2 weeks. There are no physical restrictions following small incision cataract surgery. There is no problem with bending, stooping, lifting, coughing, or straining. Exercise is fine, including golf, tennis, jogging and aerobics. Because soap and water are not harmful, you may shower, wash your face and hair, and wear makeup. We advise that you not to swim for one week. You may read and watch TV as much as you like. You may resume work and driving when you feel ready. There is no restriction on airplane travel.
(All postop visits are at the Los Altos office)
If you suddenly lose your vision after it has initially cleared, then call our office.
David F. Chang MD 650-948-9123
