Question about cataract surgery - Page 2

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@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.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

novamc1 · ‎07-02-2015

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.)

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

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.

SXMGirl · ‎07-07-2010

@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.

The next time that I hear salt and ice together, it better be in a margarita!

Meowingkitty · ‎06-19-2010

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.

CLEM · ‎03-09-2010

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.

2blonde · ‎03-10-2010

@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?

Laura loves cats!

lulu1 · ‎03-29-2011

@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.