Also, contact a trusted friend or family member to read the post-operation instructions.  They can help check up on you and can help remind you of certain details.  Although some people go under anesthesia for cataract surgery, some people are awake during surgery but still may be groggy due to the numbing drops placed on the eye.

What Not To Do

Depending on your individual case, you may be surprised at what you are allowed to do soon after eye surgery.  It may be easier to remember what not to do.

Although some people claim they are well enough to drive themselves home, it’s best to have someone else drive you from the cataract surgeon’s office or the hospital.  It’s best not to go outside without sunglasses, whether you are driving or sitting as a passenger.

Don’t get your eye wet.  You can still take a bath, but you need to be sure not to get the eye wet.  Some people have reported that they were able to take a shower and keep their eyes dry by turning their backs to the flow, but this may be difficult to do.  Do not put on eye makeup.

Don’t rub your eye.  This will be a hard one to follow, but strange sensations after cataract surgery can be a bit like a nettle sting – if you don’t touch it, the irritation goes away on its own.

Drops and Ointments

You may have to take several types of drops or ointments after your surgery, depending on your health history.  Get to know the names of these medications because you will need to administer them at different times.  Do not assume that all of the drops need to be taken at the same time.

Your surgeon or the office staff should have detailed instructions on what medication needs to be taken at what time of the day.  If possible, write the instructions down yourself.  For some reason, the act of writing something down – even if it’s a direct copy – helps keep details in the memory.

Warning

Call your surgeon immediately if you get any of the following symptoms – sudden increase of pain, strange flashes of light, tunnel vision, or a sudden ability to see out of the eye.

There are two kinds of intraocular lenses:

Foldable. These lenses are implanted using a small incision, the surgeon places the IOL inside the eye, then ufolds it into position.

Non-Foldable: The surgeon uses a slightly larger incision, and places the complete, unfolded lens in position into the eye.

By virtue of the fact that the folded lens can be put into place through a smaller incision, this is the preferred method, as healing time is quicker, and complications slightly less likely.

There are three types of lenses which are used in cataract surgery:

Multifocal: These intraocular lenses allow you to see clearly at all distances (close, immediate, and far). These lenses have similar benefits to multifocal glasses.

Monofocal: These lenses correct vision at one distance. ie near, far, or immediate.

Toric: These intraocular lenses are specifically for people suffering from astigmatism.

For those looking for a cataract surgeon in toronto, contact the Toronto Eye Surgery Centre