When you find out that you have cataracts, you may find yourself feeling relieved. After all, you finally know what is wrong with your vision, and you have a plan for treatment: cataract surgery. However, you may wonder what steps you will need to follow to take the best possible care of your eyes once your cataract surgery is over. Post-operative care for your eyes is just as important as pre-operative care, and can have a lasting effect upon your eyesight going forward. All you need to do is learn the proper steps to take care of your eyes after surgery, and make sure to follow them. You will be seeing better than ever in no time.
Use The Prescribed Eye Drops
First and foremost, you need to make sure you use the antibiotic eye drops your eye doctor prescribes following your surgery. Even if you are wary of the overuse of antibiotics or just don't like eye drops, these particular drops are vital to recovery.
The tissues of your eyes are extremely sensitive and are easily prone to infection following any tissue trauma. This includes surgery. If you have difficulty applying the drops yourself, have a friend or family member help you apply them. Gently hold your eye open so you do not flinch and lose the medicinal benefits of your eye drops.
Do Not Bend Over Or Engage In Heavy Lifting
Whether you realize it or not, certain daily activities can actually put a great deal of pressure and strain on your eyes. When you bend over or down, for example, blood can rush to your head and eyes causing pressure buildup.
After cataract surgery, bending over or down, even for brief periods of time, can actually dislodge the lens implant or push your eye out of the socket. Even if nothing this extreme occurs, the buildup of pressure can cause pain and throbbing in your eyes.
Heavy lifting can also put strain on facial muscles including those around the eyes. Similar negative consequences can occur from heavy lifting in the first few weeks following surgery. Best to take it easy and leave the heavy lifting to friends and family who are willing to assist you through your recovery.
Limit Your Caffeine Intake
Sometimes eye doctors forget to mention this, but caffeine affects you differently when your body is recovering from surgery. In the case of cataract surgery, excessive caffeine can lead to intense pressure, throbbing, and vision disturbances. This is because caffeine constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure.
While you do not have to completely eliminate caffeine from your life following your cataract surgery, you should cut back as much as possible. The intense pressure and discomfort are not worth the energy you may gain from that cup of coffee.
If you follow these guidelines along with any others set by your eye doctor, such as someone from Midwest Eye Care PC, following cataract surgery, your recovery will be as quick and smooth as possible.
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