Normal reactions after the surgery

• Visual complaints that for most parts are temporary:
  • Blurry vision lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks.
  • Halos and stars around sources of light.
  • Unstable vision, as the new lens is not fully secured in the eye before scar tissue has been established around it.
  • Changed colour vision so that things look bluer than before surgery.
  • You may see a crescent in your peripheral visual field.
• The eye may be red, itchy, and it may feel sandy. Lubricating eye drops may help. (No prescription is needed and can be bought at the pharmacy).
• The eye may be sticky in the morning, especially the day after surgery, with increased scaling.
• Some will feel a slight pain when the anesthesia stops working. You may use pain killers such as Panodil, Pinex or Pamol.

Please contact us if

• You feel a sharp pain in the eye.
• Your eye becomes very red.
• Your vision suddenly gets blurry after having been clear.
• You feel nauseated.

Eye drops

• The eye drops can be picked up at the pharmacy after the
  pre-examination.
• The eye drops prevent iris inflammation and swelling of the retina.
• If both eyes need surgery, you will have to purchase 2 bottles at the
  same time.
• To prevent infection, you need to use separate bottles for each eye.
• You can pick up the eye drops 5 times on the same prescription.
• Are you using eye drops for the pressure in your eye, you will need to continuing doing so without pausing.
• 4 hours after the surgery, you should start to use eye drops in the operated eye/eyes 3 times a day - for 3 weeks.
   

  Eye Drop Schedule

  Medication	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
  Voltabak	1 drop	1 drop	1 drop

• Remember to wash your hands before using the eye drops in your eye.
• In the enclosed eye drop description, it says to close the tear duct with a finger. For hygienic reasons, do not do this.
• If you need assistance with the eye drops, speak to the staff on your surgery day. They will arrange home care.

Follow up after surgery

You need to make an appointment with your eye doctor 1-6 weeks after you have had surgery on the last eye (max 8 weeks after the first eye). Tell the eye doctor that you have had cataract surgery and you will get your appointment.

Right after surgery you may

• Watch TV and read.
• Work in a dust free environment without any lifting (office work and physical therapy).
• Get vaccinated.
• Bow down, grocery shopping, cook, and clean.
• Bike riding and use of public transportation.
• Take a shower and wash your hair with the eyes closed.
• Use your old glasses if you feel it helps.
• Use sunglasses if you find it comfortable.
• Travel by plane (note: Talk to your travel insurance company).

One week after surgery you may

• Do physically hard work in dusty environment and work where there is a risk of infection (e.g. handy work, kindergarten teacher).
• Do sports and gymnastics.
• Have sex.
• Go to the dentist.

Two weeks after surgery you may

• Do all what you are used to like:
  • Swim in the ocean, swimming pool and bathtub.
  • Use eye make-up.
  • Use contact lenses.

Sincerely,
The Department of Ophthalmology
Cataract Team