Cataract surgery is a very common procedure nowadays. It is the removal of the opaque lens and replacing it with a transparent lens. This has led to people ignoring the restrictions and instructions after discharge. Aftercare is very important in cataract surgery. The aim is to avoid infections and any displacement to the implanted artificial lens.
Here are some tips by Dr P. K. Santhakumari, founder of Matha, a Kerala-based ayurvedic eye care institute:
1. Avoid exposure to dust, smoke and other pollution. Wearing plain glasses can help.
2. Don’t look at any bright light source. Also, avoid looking at a mixture of different illuminating colours. Since the opaque medium lens is removed, more light will be converged on the macula and may weaken it. Sunglass, anti-glare glasses etc. are good protection in such situations.
3. Avoid reading in dim light and in moving vehicle.
4. Select your physical exercises with care: don’t perform any bending down or head down postures. Don’t swim. You may go for a simple walk.
5. Sneezing, cough etc are dangerous. So, take immediate steps if you get cold, sinusitis, etc.
6. Don’t make any immediate changes in your routine lifestyle after your discharge. For example don’t change your head oil, or type of water used for bathing etc.
7. Be careful, tap water should not enter your eye. Use only medicated or sterile water for eyewash.
8. Avoid travelling for a period of one month. This is to avoid jerks and shakes and also to prevent any chance of displacement of the implanted lens.
9. Don’t give over workload to the eye. Limit watching TV, usage of mobiles, looking at computer screen etc.
10. Never forget to use the medicines prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
11. Also, don’t forget to take your regular medicines for other systemic diseases. It is to avoid complaints of diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cardiac problems etc.
There is yet another important point to remember. The lens is not the only necessary structure for vision in your eyes. Your retina, optic nerve, blood vessels etc should also function well for good vision. Diseases of these structures especially degenerative in nature may lead to blindness. So, before cataract surgery, confirm that other structures are functioning well. Otherwise, you may not regain vision even after cataract surgery. Diseases of these structures may develop after your cataract surgery also. So, do not close your eye care chapter after cataract surgery. Especially if you are diabetic or hypertensive. Continue your eye checkups and eye care.