Having Cataract Surgery? 3 Essentials For Recovery
Cataracts affect the underlying health of your eyes, but they also reduce your ability to see, which affects your daily life. Thankfully, surgical removal of cataracts offers an effective solution that improves your eye health, vision, and quality of life. Three million Americans undergo this surgery each year and 98 percent of procedures are effective, so it is easy to see why you should consider this innovative surgery for your own needs. Of course, recovery is an imperative part of the surgery's success. If you will be having cataract surgery, here are a few must-haves to ensure you are prepared for an efficient and successful recovery.
Help
First and foremost, you will need help. A spouse, parent, or child should be readily available to you for a few days after surgery. This may seem shocking because most people feel great after their surgery, but some tasks will be difficult and even impossible to complete on your own.
Avoid driving after your surgery. Your family member should take you home and run any errands that you may require for a few days after having your cataracts removed.
Your family member should help you cook and complete any other tasks at home, as well. They will also be able to help administer the correct amount of eye drops and other medications to you while your vision is somewhat impaired after surgery.
Medications
After the surgery, your doctor will give you a few different types of medications to help you during your recovery. Antibiotic drops will need to be placed directly into the eye multiple times each day for a few days. These eye drops reduce swelling and inflammation while preventing infections after surgery.
Most people do not experience any pain in the eye. However, you may feel some pressure and light discomfort after the surgery. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, can be taken to ease any discomfort. These will not be prescribed, so you should equip your medicine cabinet with these pain relievers before your actual surgery.
Doctor's Contact Info
Make sure your doctor's contact information is readily available to you and your family members in case of complications.
If you or your family notice your eye is red, swollen, oozing, and itchy or your vision has become blurry, you may have an infection that needs to be addressed immediately.
Cataract surgery is an excellent option, but proper recovery is key to the procedure's success. This guide and your doctor's help will prepare you for an effective surgery. Contact a clinic, like Leader Heights Eye Center, for more help.
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