It should come as no surprise that anytime you are having surgery, this is a big deal. This is particularly true when you have an upcoming eye surgery. Whether it is cataract surgery, LASIK, or anything else, you are going to want to prepare as best as possible, as well as give yourself the proper post-surgery care. If you do this, you’re most likely going to enjoy a successful surgery and come out on the other side seeing better.
What to expect before and after surgery will vary from doctor to doctor, from patient to patient, as well as from specific surgery to another. However, there are a few tried and true tips that are a good suggestion for anyone with an upcoming eye surgery.
Recommendations Before Eye Surgery
#1 You will need an initial or baseline evaluation by your eye doctor to determine if you are a good candidate. Again, this is true no matter which eye surgery you are getting. If you think or know you need eye surgery but haven’t yet been seen by an eye doctor for an evaluation, this is your first step.
#2 If you wear contact lenses, it is a good idea to stop wearing them and switch to wearing your glasses full-time. This is because contact lenses change the shape of your cornea for up to a few weeks. Not leaving your contact lenses out long enough for your cornea to assume its natural shape before surgery can have negative consequences that include inaccurate measurements that result in poor vision after surgery.
#3 The day before surgery, you should stop using any creams, lotions, makeup, and perfumes.
These products, and debris along the eyelashes, may increase the risk of infection during and after surgery. You want your face to be au natural!
Recommendations After Eye Surgery
#1 You should see your doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, and at regular intervals afterwards for a few months. At the first postoperative visit, your doctor will test your vision and examine your eye(s).
#2 Relax! You don’t want to go back to work, school, or any other strenuous activity right afterwards. Give your body time to heal without stress. Avoid vigorous exercise and activities that require heavy lifting for a couple of weeks to lower the chances of increasing your eye pressure. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, high eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals. Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery. Also, it is important to protect your eyes from anything that might get in them, or from accidentally being hit or bumped. You should wait a few days following surgery before beginning any non-contact sports, depending on the amount of activity required, how you feel, and your doctor’s instructions. Strenuous contact sports, such as boxing or football, should not be attempted for at least four weeks after eye surgery.
#3 In order to help prevent infection, you may be told that you need to wait for up to two weeks after surgery before using lotions, creams, or make-up around the eye again.
#4 Exposure to water can put your eyes at risk of infection or irritation until your eye has healed from surgery. Give yourself at least one night of sleep before showering, and prevent the stream of water from hitting your eyes directly. You should also avoid swimming in pools and using hot tubs for one to two months.
Contact the Reno Eye Surgery Experts
Millions of people each year undergo successful eye surgeries. For any additional questions, or if you haven’t yet booked your eye surgery, we are here for the Reno community. Eye Care Professionals is proud to be one of the longest serving medical practices in all of Nevada. We feel very fortunate and privileged to be able to participate in the all-important work of preserving, restoring, and improving vision for our patients!
