Postoperative care instructions for patients following Cataract Extraction and Intraocular lens implantation.

You need to wear an Eye-shield at night for up to 2 weeks following your surgery. This will be given to you before you leave the hospital.

Your postoperative drop regime will consist of one bottle of drops. Betnesol N (or else Maxitrol depending on the current supply situation) drops are to be used 4 times daily for the first 2 weeks and then twice daily for the second 2 weeks postoperatively. You will be asked to record instillation of your drops on a drop-recording sheet to assist you in remembering to use your medication. It is vital that the normal hygiene standards are followed - hand washing before and after drops are instilled.

You must not rub your eye that has had Cataract surgery for up to 4 weeks following the surgery.

You must not swim in a swimming pool for up to 2 weeks following Cataract surgery. Vigorous exercise should also be avoided for up to 2 weeks following surgery.

If you have any eye pain over and above the normal feeling of postoperative irritation you must contact your ophthalmic surgeon immediately.

If your vision starts to become increasingly blurred you must contact your ophthalmic surgeon immediately. It is not unusual for your eye to be slightly blurred following surgery. Your vision should be reasonably good the morning after surgery and it will then improve over the next few days.

It is very important to follow these instructions as failure to do so may affect the outcome of your surgery.