topic Re: Question about cataract surgery in Wellness

Question about cataract surgery

CLEM — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 12:57:53 GMT

I know there has been at least 1 thread about this in the past, but I just want to ask a specific question and hope someone can answer. I live alone, so I just have some concerns for the day of and after I get home.

1. After I come home from surgery, will I be able to do my regular chores which include bending to lace my shoes and taking care of my cat like feeding her and scoop out the litter box?

This issue just popped into my head and I was wondering what your experiences have been.

Is there anything else I need to consider?

Re: Question about cataract surgery

Justice4all — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:02:59 GMT

People will answer you here who have had the operation, I have not. Your doctor will tell you..but cleaning kitty litter I think is a no-no, because of infection possibilities!

Re: Question about cataract surgery

Winkk — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:05:30 GMT

I had my surgery done several years ago and I think I remember something about not bending over but I forget how long that was. If I had to reach to the floor I tried to keep by body straight and look straight ahead. They don't want you bending over and putting pressure on your eyes. But, I would call your doctor's office and I'm sure they can answer your question. And, I'm also sure you will not be the first to ask that.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

Mominohio — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:10:22 GMT

I can relay my mom's experience, as I was the one to care for her and take her to and from surgery.

She walked out of laser surgery each time, went straight to a restaurant and ate lunch. It was only 10 minutes from the time she walked off the table till out the front door of the clinic.

She chose to come home and take a long nap (we were told most people do, but she could do anything she needed to right away. She could dress, tie shoes, shower etc.

I would be very cautious with the cleaning of cat boxes. Use disposable gloves, and throw them away each time, wear the big sunglasses they give you to protect your eyes from the dust while cleaning them. If it were me, I'd try to set up some extra boxes so maybe you don't have to clean them for a couple of days at all to avoid the dust, or see if a friend or neighbor can come do it for a couple of day. This is only being super cautious, but if it is an option, you might want to try to do it.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

I am still oxox — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:12:37 GMT

I have had the surgery on both eyes, ask your eye doctor, I would also consider wearing protective eye wear to change the litter

Re: Question about cataract surgery

jlkz — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:17:59 GMT

I am sure this must have been covered with you prior to the surgery: you need to have an adult with you to take you to and from the surgery.

Very true about being able to eat breakfast or lunch right afterwards. Sleepiness that afternoon also.

Good luck.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

GAQShopr53 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:22:34 GMT

@CLEM My mom had the surgery on both eyes two years ago and I had to take care of her afterwards...just a week or so. She could not do any bending, cleaning, or even her favorite thing which is to tend to her garden because of the dust. The surgery was successful but it took a couple of days before she was able to experience the results of the surgery. I had to administer her eye drops several times a day which also prevented her from doing her normal routine. Each case/patient responds differently but I would suggest having someone help you for a couple of day after the procedure.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

Sooner — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:22:54 GMT

Both times I didn't look that great immediately afterward and had a metal "cage" taped over my eye to prevent me putting my hand on it or rubbing it. I was groggy and came home and went to sleep--and had to sleep with the eye guard for a few nights afterward.

No, I wasn't supposed to bend over for several days. I also had to put drops in several times a day for quite some time--don't' remember how long.

I can say that it wasn't just tra-la-la in and out and let's go to the mall.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

HLP — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:27:58 GMT

@CLEMCLEM I had lazur eye surgery past febuary.I went out had lunch with big dark glasses on they gave me, came back they checked my eye, I came home . Ocourse they tell you not to rub your eye, and I wasnt to take a shower till the next day, so as not to get water in my eye. Now remember this was lazur, so I had no drops to fool with, it is different from what my neighbor had, which he came over and I put drops in his eye for about a week.I don't have an animal, but I see no reason you wouldn't be able to clean the litter box, unless you rub your eye while your doing it. The whole precedure is fast , no pain, and a piece of cake. I went back the next week for the other eye.They will tell you what to do or not do, don't worry about this. Been there done that.,

Re: Question about cataract surgery

OKPrincess — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:36:55 GMT

@CLEM Excellent question since I have two cats and I have litter box duty 24/7. DH has allergies.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

Kachina624 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:01:39 GMT

@CLEM. When my mother had cataract surgery maybe 30 years ago they told her not to bend over. When I had the surgery about 12 years ago for the first one, about 7 years for the second, there was no warning about doing anything physical except not to rub the eyes. I also live alone and fed my 5 dogs and performed all my usual chores with no restrictions. I had the same doctor as my mother.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

novamc1 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:16:13 GMT

I've had two cataract surgeries and (because of my own personal quirks) needed a lot more anesthesia than other folks normally get, just so the doctor could do his job without me causing trouble. I have a hard time cooperating with keeping my eyes wide open when faced with bright lights, for one thing.

DH says I talked nonsense for a while after I woke up and he was summoned to take me home. But we didn't go home. My head cleared fairly soon, and we went straight to a restaurant for lunch after leaving the surgery center.

I walked out with a patch over one eye to prevent me from disturbing the eye area, but I took it off almost immediately and never used it again. (Probably should use it while sleeping at night to avoid accidental eye rubbing.)

Re: Question about cataract surgery

Carmie — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:18:57 GMT

When I had my cataract surgery, my instructions were to use my eye drops as directed. I was told not to rub my eye, no swimming, and to use an eye cup at night for sleeping and no make-up or eye creams.

My DH drove me home from the surgery center, but the next day I drove myself back to the eye doctor for my early morning appointment. After the appointment, I went straight to work. No other restrictions.

I think you should be okay on your own, but check with the doctor. If you have a cat, I would be careful not to get any kitty litter dust in your eye. You should wear gloves and perhaps the eye cup when you do kitty duties.

It's an easy operation and not a bad experience at all. You will be happy with the results.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

SXMGirl — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:23:34 GMT

@CLEM, every doctor might have a few different instructions, but when I had my surgeries, I was told to not do any kind of exertion for at least 24 hours, not to rub my eyes, and to sleep in my recliner. I went back the next day for a check up and was able to start doing regular activities except working out.

As far as cleaning the litter box, I would make sure that it was very clean before leaving for surgery. If you only have one box, I would get one or two more, just in case. Most cat owners have more than one. Just make sure that it is ready to go and in place.

The surgery is easy if you follow doctor orders.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

Meowingkitty — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:29:18 GMT

I just had mine done this past April. I was not supposed to bend down for a week. I asked him about changing kitty litter and he didn’t seem to have a problem with it but I couldn’t bend over so I had my husband do it. You will see in soft focus for the first day or two but you should be able to do anything you want, just not bend over. I did come home both times and slept and rested for most of the day but the next day I was back to normal and was driving after my second eye was done. I didn’t drive after my first eye even though they said I could because the vision in my other eye was something like 20/700 and I didn’t think it was smart to drive with only one eye done. They did give me contacts to use while I was waiting for my second surgery but they were to much hassle and I couldn’t just pop out a lens in my old glasses becsuse they were rimless. So I just lived with lopsided vision for three weeks. Expensive but so worth it since I’d been wearing glasses for 50 years.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

CLEM — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:33:06 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all your excellent information. I was mostly concerned about the bending and I got my answer. I will also double check with the doc though.

When I saw her, I knew I needed it done, but didn't realize it was that soon. A friend will go with me of course and I plan to go by myself the next day for a follow up. I think I can get someone to come in to clean the litter box for a couple of days.

Hope you all have a great day and thanks again.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

2blonde — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:00:31 GMT

@CLEM I suppose it may vary a bit depending on the person and the surgeon. I'm 69 and had both eyes done in June of 2017. I chose to have the expensive multifucal lenses put in ($3,000 per eye), rather than the standard fixed focus lenses.

I now have 20/20 vision and do not need glasses for reading. My surgeries were literally a breeze. I was awake through both, but felt no pain. I got off the table and walked to my sister's car, and she drove me home. An hour later I was riding my bike (with the dark glasses on). The only caution I was given was not to lift more than 30 lbs for 24 hours.

I drove myself to work the next day with no problem and I scooped the cat box as usual. I continued to use the drops until the bottle was empty, as instructed. Maybe the bending over caution is for people with high blood pressure?

Re: Question about cataract surgery

lulu1 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 17:52:21 GMT

@CLEM

I had both my eyes done in May. I was told not do anything strenuous that first night. I had appointments the next day and at that time was told I could resume my normal activities.

Why not clean the litter right before you go, then do it again the next morning? I would use an eye covering.

Good luck. It was miraculous how bright everything was and well I could see after my second surgery.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

bonnielu — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 22:05:49 GMT

I did it all except cat litter since I do not have a cat. I had both eyes done as did my husband.

Re: Question about cataract surgery

FranandZoe — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 01:14:57 GMT

I had cataract surgery in 8/15 on both eyes. I had no restrictions whatsoever. But I had it done via laser.