By Dr P K Santhakumari, Founder, Matha Ayurveda Eye Hospital
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. Some tips are:
- Avoid exposure to dust, smoke and other pollution. wearing plain glass will help you
- Don’t look at any bright light or at any 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 it will be weakened. Sunglass, anti-glare glasses etc. are good protection in such situations.
- Avoid reading dim light and in moving vehicle.
- Select your physical exercises with care. Bending down or head down postures and swimming are dangerous. Simple walking is a good alternative.
- Sneezing, cough etc are dangerous. So, take immediate steps if you get cold, sinusitis, etc.
- Don’t make any immediate changes in your routine lifestyle after your discharge. For e.g., changing your head oil, type of water used for bathing, dwelling place etc.
- Be careful not to enter water inside the eye. Use only medicated or sterile water for eyewash.
- Avoid travel 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.
- Don’t give over workload to the eye. Limit watching TV, usage of mobiles, looking at computer screen etc.
- Never forget to use the medicines prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
- 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 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.
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