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Recovery

After Surgery

After surgery we will give you some post-operative eye drops free of charge before you leave so you do not need to go to the pharmacy on the way home.  We’ll also give you some post-operative instructions and arrange for a follow-up appointment at Cataract Surgery SA before sending you home.

Cataract Surgery Aftercare

Immediately after cataract surgery you may notice that your eye is slightly red and your vision may be a little foggy. You may feel your eye is scratchy as if a grain of sand may be in your eye. Your eye should not be painful. In the rare instance they occur you should report increasing pain, headache or nausea to the after-hours telephone number provided to you following your procedure in your paperwork. During recovery after cataract surgery, avoid: rubbing your eye swimming for at least a week (and try to keep water out of your eye while bathing) eye makeup and eye creams/moisturisers for a week straining, heavy lifting or strenuous activity for several days activities that could injure your eye such as contact sports for 6 weeks exposing your eye to dust and wind during the first few weeks Drops All your postoperative drops, a written schedule, and a drop chart for you to track your drops for each eye will be provided to you before you leave the day surgery. Sunglasses You will be provided with sunglasses you can wear before you leave the day surgery. You do not need to wear these for therapeutic reasons, only as comfort requires. The evening after your cataract procedure We suggest you not plan any activities for the evening after your procedure. Do not plan to drive or drink alcohol until your sedation has worn off 24 hours after your procedure. Though not essential, ideally where possible it is a good idea to have someone with you the first evening after your procedure. Postoperative appointments You will see your eye surgeon, Dr Fraenkel, one or two days after your cataract procedure. You will be given your appointment day and time after your procedure before you leave the day surgery. Your next routine appointment will usually be four or five weeks after your procedure either with Dr Fraenkel or your referring optometrist. Either way you will then see your optometrist 5-6 weeks after your procedure for new glasses if required. Occasionally you may see them sooner if you need glasses sooner. Symptoms to watch for after cataract surgery and problems to call about. Please call 08 83592422 8:00 – 18:50 hours or the After Hours emergency number provided if you have increasing eye: Pain, redness or blur Increasing discomfort in bright light New floaters or flashes or shadows in your field of vision Or increasing nausea or headache.

Glasses after cataract surgery

Will I need glasses after Cataract Surgery Whether or not you will require reading or computer glasses after cataract surgery is a discussion we recommend you may start with your optometrist before you attend your eye surgeon. You’re not alone. Studies show half those who have cataract expect to be significantly less dependent on spectacles for day to day tasks after their cataract procedure. The need for reading glasses after cataract surgery depends on the type and focus of the implant (IOL) placed behind your eye’s pupil after your cataract is removed. There are three main types of IOL: Monofocal Trifocal Extended depth of focus. (EDOF) Monofocal lenses are in one focus in one (hence “mono”) place only. This may be distance or near focus but not both in the one eye. Some patients have one eye focussed far and one near, which can give a good functional compromise between distance and near vision youtubue.com/laservisionsa/ ????Trifocal lens implants give distance intermediate and near focus in the eye receiving them. They also produce halos around lights at night and occasional glare which most patients tolerate, but some dislike. See youtube.com/LaserVisionSA? ??????EDOF lenses give good distance and intermediate vision with less halos than trifocal IOLS. However they provide less near ability as well. AT Laser Vision SA we have been discussing which IOL type our patients should receive for over a decade. We have great experience in assisting patients in making their choice and provide information on your options prior to your appointment so you have time to think about your preferred option prior to your appointment, and write down any questions you would have. An important part of minimising the need for reading glasses after cataract surgery is getting your eyes final focus as good as it can be. Whilst this is the case in 93% of cases at Laser Vision SA, some patients need a little more fine focussing. Not all practices have the technology and experience to do this. At Laser Vision SA we also perform laser vision correction with the latest technology in SA. This way if your outcome is not exactly as you want, where possible and appropriate we can enhance your focus to reduce your need for glasses, without having to send you to another eye practice.