How to Recover After Eye Surgery

Eye surgery is always a serious matter, no matter the reason behind it. The recovery time for your eyes depends on the type of surgery performed. However, whether it’s cataract surgery, retinal surgery, corneal surgery, or any other eye procedure, you must dedicate time to let your eyes rest and recover properly.

Avoid getting water in your eyes. While splashing water on your face may feel refreshing, it can lead to infections and cause discomfort after surgery. The duration for avoiding water in the eyes varies depending on the type of surgery. For example, after LASIK (refractive surgery), you should wear protective eyewear when showering for a week. Be sure to consult with your doctor for specific guidance.

• This advice does not apply to all surgeries, so it’s important to check with your doctor. For instance, a small amount of water entering your eyes a day after retinal surgery is likely not an issue.
• Be gentle when drying your face.

Adjust your face-washing habits. Instead of splashing water on your face, it is better to wet a washcloth and gently wipe your face. Showering immediately after surgery can be risky, as you must avoid getting water into your eyes (unless you've had retinal surgery). Unless instructed by your doctor, a bath might be safer since the water only reaches your neck. When washing your hair, tilt your head back to wet your hair while keeping your face dry.

Avoid using cosmetics around your eyes. You should refrain from applying any substances around your eyes until your doctor gives you the go-ahead. This includes not only cosmetics but also essential oils and lotions you typically use on your face. These products can irritate your eyes, potentially leading to infection and complications.

• You can still use lipstick or lip gloss, but make sure to avoid any cosmetics that could get into your eyes.

Protect your eyes from direct sunlight. Your eyes will not be able to adjust quickly to light following surgery. Exposure to bright light may cause pain and extreme sensitivity. Therefore, it is important to avoid anything that could strain your eyes.

• When outdoors during the day, wear sunglasses as recommended by your surgeon. This period may range from three days to one week, depending on the type of surgery. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.

Wear an eye patch while sleeping. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to wear an eye patch while you sleep for several days to up to two weeks after surgery. This is to prevent you from rubbing your eyes during sleep.

Avoid smoke and dust. For at least one week after surgery, you should minimize exposure to irritants that could lead to infection. Wear protective glasses if there is a risk of dust entering your eyes. Smokers should try to quit smoking for at least one week, wear protective glasses, and avoid exposure to smoke as much as possible.

Do not rub your eyes. Your eyes may itch after surgery, but it is important to resist the urge to rub them. This action can harm the delicate surgical site and the surface of your eye. Additionally, bacteria from your hands may transfer to your eyes.

• Typically, your doctor will provide protective gear, such as a bandage or safety glasses. You can remove them to apply any prescribed eye drops.
• Remember to use the protective measures for the full duration recommended by your doctor. Be cautious while sleeping to avoid pressure on the eyes and follow your doctor’s instructions for positioning.

Prevent bacterial exposure. Wash your hands whenever you're at risk of coming into contact with bacteria: when going outside, entering the bathroom, walking around, etc. Avoid crowded places during the first few days after surgery. Staying at home can reduce exposure to germs.

Contact your surgeon immediately if serious symptoms occur. Inform your doctor of any symptoms after surgery and attend follow-up appointments to prevent potential complications. If common post-surgery symptoms persist, notify your doctor. You can also track when the symptoms first appeared. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following severe symptoms:

• For cataract surgery: Increased pain, loss of vision, or glare/seeing dark spots in your field of vision.
• For LASIK surgery: Increased pain or vision deterioration lasting several days after surgery.
• For retinal surgery: You may experience glare after surgery, but this should gradually subside. If new glare appears, or if the frequency of seeing floating spots increases or you lose vision, contact your doctor immediately.
• For any type of surgery: Severe pain, discharge with blood, or vision loss.

Take care of yourself. To maintain good health after surgery, adopt a balanced diet with lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and fresh fruit juices. Drink plenty of water to aid in healing. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink 13 cups (3 liters) of water and women drink 9 cups (2.2 liters) of water daily.

Take vitamin supplements. Although they cannot replace a balanced diet, multivitamins can complement your nutrition. Specifically, vitamin C helps the healing process; vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin protect new tissues from harmful free radicals; and vitamin A is essential for vision. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends the following daily vitamin doses:

• Vitamin C: 90 mg for men; 75 mg for women; plus an additional 35 mg for smokers.
• Vitamin E: 15 mg of natural vitamin E or 30 mg of synthetic vitamin E.
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin: 6 mg.

Limit screen exposure. Your doctor will provide specific guidelines regarding the amount of time you're allowed to use a computer screen, depending on the nature of your surgery and your recovery progress. For example, after LASIK surgery, you should avoid looking at any screen. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate duration for limiting screen time based on your condition.

Follow the eye drop instructions. Your doctor will typically prescribe one or two types of eye drops: antibiotics to prevent infection and anti-inflammatory drops to reduce swelling. Antibiotic drops are used to avoid infection, while anti-inflammatory drops help reduce inflammation. If you're having difficulty managing your eye care, ask a friend or family member for assistance.

• Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops like atropine to dilate your eyes and prevent scarring in the pupil, as well as pain relief. Additionally, eye drops may be prescribed to lower intraocular pressure, particularly if air or oil was injected into the eye during the procedure.

How to apply eye drops. Tilt your head back and keep your eyes fixed on the ceiling to avoid blinking. Use one finger to pull down your lower eyelid, creating a 'pocket' beneath your eye, then drop the medication into the pocket. Close your eyes gently without rubbing them. Wait at least five minutes before applying any other drops.

• Be careful not to let the tip of the eye drop bottle touch your eye.

Learn how to apply eye ointment. Applying eye ointment is similar to using eye drops. Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a 'pocket.' Invert the tube and gently squeeze the ointment into the pocket. Keep your eyes closed for about a minute to allow the ointment to absorb and start working.

Follow the eye care instructions given by your doctor. Your doctor will typically advise washing around your eyes twice daily. You can boil water, let it cool slightly, and dip a clean cloth in it to disinfect. Ensure your hands are clean, then gently wipe both the upper and lower eyelids and the eyelashes. Remember to also clean the corners of your eyes.

• Wash the cloth in boiling water or use a new, clean one for each wash. It’s important to sterilize the cloth, as the eyes are vulnerable to infection after surgery.

Engage in gentle physical activities. You can start with light exercise once you return home from surgery. However, strenuous activities like weightlifting, running, cycling, or swimming should be avoided according to your doctor's advice. Weightlifting and muscle strain increase the pressure in your eyes, which may delay healing and potentially harm the recovering tissues.

• Seek assistance when heavy tasks are required. Your friends and family will gladly help and will be happy to see you getting better.

Postpone sexual activities. Similar to exercise, it's advised to delay resuming sexual activities. Any physical exertion could raise pressure in your eyes, slowing down the healing process. You can consult your surgeon to find out when it’s safe to resume these activities.

Do not drive immediately after surgery. Blurred vision after surgery can make driving dangerous. It’s best to avoid driving until your vision has improved or until you receive clearance from your doctor. Generally, you can resume driving once your eyes are able to focus and are no longer sensitive to light.

• Make sure someone is available to take you home after the surgery.

Ask your doctor when you can return to work. It's important to remember that recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and the individual's ability to heal. Some surgeries require up to six weeks for recovery, while others, such as cataract surgery, typically have a recovery time of about one week.

Avoid alcoholic beverages during your recovery period. A glass of wine to lift your spirits may seem harmless, but alcohol actually promotes fluid retention in the body. Fluid buildup in the eyes can increase pressure, which can slow down your healing or even cause further damage to the eyes.

Rest for at least 24 hours after cataract surgery. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens (cataract) that typically develops with age. The surgeon will implant an artificial intraocular lens. Patients often report feeling like there is a 'foreign object' in their eye after cataract surgery. This sensation is usually due to dry eyes caused by stitches, pre-surgery antiseptic solutions, or dryness during the procedure.

• The nerves may take several months to heal, during which time you may experience unusual sensations in your eyes.
• To manage these symptoms, your doctor may prescribe lubricating eye drops and antibiotics to prevent infection.

Be patient after retinal detachment surgery. The symptoms that required surgery may persist for some time after the procedure but will gradually improve. Surgery is necessary to prevent blindness. These symptoms include painless vision loss, such as the sensation of a veil in front of your eyes; flashes of light or seeing light at the corners of your vision; and the sudden appearance of numerous dark spots in your field of vision.

• This type of surgery requires a recovery time of one to eight weeks.
• You may feel some discomfort after the surgery, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief or cold compresses.
• The appearance of dark spots or light flashes will gradually disappear. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience new flashes of light that were not present before the surgery.
• You may also see dark or silvery streaks in your vision. This phenomenon is caused by air bubbles that will eventually disappear as the air is absorbed into the eye.

Prepare for a long recovery period after LASIK surgery. Although the surgery itself is quick, the recovery process can take 2 to 3 months. LASIK is a surgery designed for individuals with refractive errors who need glasses or contact lenses. It uses laser technology to reshape the cornea, allowing patients to see more clearly. After the procedure, you may experience increased tear production, halos, or blurred vision. A burning or itching sensation may also occur, but it's crucial not to touch your eyes. If these symptoms become too uncomfortable, you should contact your doctor.

• Your doctor will typically schedule a follow-up appointment within 24 to 48 hours post-surgery to check your vision and assess for any infection. Inform your doctor about any pain or side effects, and arrange for subsequent check-ups.
• Gradually resume your normal activities, following your doctor's guidelines. You may wear makeup and apply skincare products to your face after two weeks. After four weeks, you can engage in strenuous activities and contact sports.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes, and refrain from soaking in hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months, or as advised by your eye care specialist.

• Some symptoms after surgery, such as redness, blurry vision, tears, a foreign body sensation, or light halos, are not a cause for concern and will resolve soon. However, if these symptoms persist, it is important to consult your doctor.
• Rest your eyes frequently. If your eyes feel strained or fatigued, take breaks by closing your eyes or using an eye patch.

• Seek medical attention immediately if you experience severe pain, discharge with blood, blurred vision, or dark spots in your vision.
• Consult your doctor if you experience typical symptoms that persist and do not improve. Make note of when the symptoms first appeared, if possible.