Cataract surgery can make a huge difference to your quality of life, improving your vision and allowing you to continue with day-to-day activities. The procedure is one of the safest in the world and is highly successful for most patients. At Moorfields Private, the cost of your cataract surgery will typically include your take-home medication. You will be given eye drops after cataract surgery, which will prevent infection and aid with recovery. Make sure you use these as advised, administering them with clean hands to the treated eye.
Your consultant will advise when you should start using your eye drops, but this will usually be the morning after the procedure. You should continue using them until your post operative consultation, when your consultant will advise when you can stop. As cataract surgery has such a high success rate when performed precisely, you may notice your vision improving not long after the procedure. During this time, avoid doing strenuous activities, such as housework or exercise after cataract surgery.
This will give your eyes the time they need to heal. You can still enjoy reading, watching TV and using your computer during this time. Your consultant will advise exactly how long you should refrain from strenuous activity. Using a protective eye shield will help your eyes to heal. You should use these for at least a week following the procedure, and your consultant will be able to advise you further.
Make sure you wear your eye shield especially at night to prevent you from rubbing your eyes in your sleep. You can use painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen, along with your prescribed eye drops, to relieve any discomfort during the early recovery period. Just remember to avoid any water or irritants, such as shampoo or soap, getting into your eye. We advise wiping your face with water rather than splashing water onto your face for the first 2 weeks. To wash your treated eye, you should allow boiled water to cool.
Use gauze or cotton wool and dip it into the water before gently wiping over your eye from the inside to the outside corner. Avoid washing your eye out with water, wiping the inside or putting any pressure on your eye.
