• Please leave the eye shield/dressing in place until the next morning.
• It is advisable to rest for the remainder of the day following the surgery.
• You may have some discomfort in the eye as the local anaesthetic wears off, if necessary take your preferred painkillers for example Paracetamol.
• If you experience severe pain in or around the eye or have an intense headache which does not go 2 to 3 hours after taking pain relief you should contact the hospital on the numbers provided.
• You can return to daily activities following surgery except for moving or lifting anything heavy, taking part in vigorous sport or swimming for the next 2 weeks.
• Dark glasses may be worn if you find bright light is uncomfortable.
• Do not drive before you are advised. This may not be possible, for safety and legal reasons until after you have seen an Optician and your glasses have been adjusted.
• If advised to wear an eye shield at night for a week following surgery ensure that it is washed each time before applying.
• It is important not to rub or put any pressure on the eye.
• You can clean the eye using cool, boiled water and gently wipe with a tissue. Always wipe the eye in the direction from the nose to the ear.
• Eye drops will need to be instilled for 3-4 weeks as directed on page 6 following surgery.
The discharge nurse will advise you where to attend for a post operative follow up appointment.
If you are to attend an Optometrist (Optician) for your follow up appointment you will be advised to book an appointment for 3 weeks after the surgery.
You will have been given a list of local Optometrists who are offering this service for you to select from.
The Optometrist will examine your eye, test your vision and advise you about the eye drops. They will notify the hospital by letter if your other eye requires surgery or will arrange an appointment for you if it is necessary for you to be seen by a doctor.
If you are to attend the Eye Clinic an appointment will have been given to you before you were discharged home. You may be asked to visit an optician for an eye test the day before this appointment and to bring the result with you when you attend.
- First wash your hands and remove the top off the bottle.
- Ensure that you do not touch the eye with the dropper or nozzle as this can cause contamination of the contents.
- Tilt your head back and look up.
- Gently pull the lower eyelid down until there is a small pocket.
- Squeeze the upturned bottle to release a drop into your eye.
- If more than one type of drop is to be used at the same time leave a gap of five minutes between them.
- Eye drops can cause slight stinging, a gritty sensation and blurring of vision.
- Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision has cleared.
- Do not stop using your eye drops until advised by an Optician or Doctor at your follow up appointment.
