Retinal Surgery — Home Care
After retinal surgery, it’s important to follow these home care instructions — until your doctor tells you otherwise.
Diet
You may return to your usual diet when you get home. Alcoholic beverages, if used, should be in moderation.
Activity
You may resume activities as directed by your doctor. This usually is as follows:
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Immediately:
- riding in a car
- shaving (regular or electric)
- brushing teeth
- showering if wearing patch and using low
- shower head
- tub bathing (keep soap from the eyes)
- walking outdoors
- watching TV or movies
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One to two weeks after surgery:
- driving (if you see well enough)
- light reading non-manual work
- sex
- showering
- shampooing hair
Ask your doctor or nurse when you may return to manual labor. |
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Four to six weeks after surgery:
- lawn mowing
- lifting heavy objects (more than 20 pounds)
- other heavy chores
- strenuous exercise or sports
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Eye care
- Apply eye drops. You will receive eye drops when you leave the hospital. Use as directed (see schedule below).
- Wear an eye patch. You will receive an eye patch to protect your eye and help you feel more comfortable. Wear the patch day and night during the first week. After that, use
the patch during the day, as needed, or as directed by your doctor.
- Protect the eye bubble. Your doctor may have placed a gas bubble in your eye to help reattach your retina. If so, you will be told how to keep the bubble in position. The bubble will go away on its own in several days or weeks.
Until then:
- Don’t lie flat on your back facing the ceiling.
- Don’t fly.
- Don’t drive to high altitudes.
Also, while the bubble is in place, contact your doctor before having any other surgery requiring a general anesthetic.
Clean the eyelids, as needed. You may gently wipe the eyelids with a clean tissue or cotton ball moistened with lukewarm tap water.
Special concerns
- Pain: You may have occasional discomfort after returning home. Use any over-the counter pain medicine (except plain aspirin). If pain is severe, call your doctor’s office.
- Light flashes: It’s normal to have light flashes or other visual effects for some time
after surgery.
Medication schedule
| Medicine |
Times Per Day |
Medicine |
By Mouth |
| (circled) |
Left Eye |
Right Eye |
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| Hyoscine |
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Diamox |
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| Garamycin (Genoptic) |
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Other: |
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| Econopred (Pred Forte) |
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| Ciloxan |
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If you are using more than one kind of eye drop, wait about five minutes between medications.
Follow-up care
When you get home, call your doctor’s office to schedule an appointment to be seen
in ________ weeks.
Telephone: ____________________________________________
You have a follow-up appointment with:
Doctor:
__________________________________________________
Date and time:
__________________________________________________
Location:
__________________________________________________
Telephone:
__________________________________________________
Bring your eye drops and all other medications with you to each follow-up exam.
Emergency care
If you have an emergency, call your doctor. If you can’t reach the doctor, call the emergency
department.