Discharge Advice to Patients Following Eye Surgery

How to use your eye drops

• It is important to wash your hands before touching your eyes.
• If you need to clean your eye, use fresh cooled boiled water and clean cotton wool pads. Wipe over the eye lids from nose to ear once then discard the pad.
• Shake the bottle and take off the lid. Try not to touch the top of the bottle.
• Tilt your head back and place the bottle horizontally on the bridge of your nose (so that the tip is pointing towards your operated eye).
• Gently pull down the lower eyelid and look up.
• Squeeze the bottle until a drop falls into the lower eyelid.
• Close your eyes and use a clean tissue to wipe away any excess drop.
• Ensure that you put the eye drops in as instructed. Please leave five minutes between drops to prevent washing out the previous drop.
• You will need to continue using the eye drops until you are reviewed at your outpatient appointment. Please get a repeat prescription, if needed, from your GP.
• Once opened, the bottle should be discarded after four weeks.
• You may experience a taste of the drops in your mouth. This is normal as the tear duct which drains tears to your nose will also drain away some of the drops.

General advice

• Your GP will receive a discharge letter informing them of your operation details and medication.
• Tape the eye shield over the operated eye at night to protect it for the first week at home.
• If your eye is uncomfortable, you may take your normal pain relief tablets like Paracetamol.
• You may continue with your usual activities such as watching television or reading. If you wish to wash your hair, ensure you do not get shampoo in your eyes.
• Avoid swimming and other sports until you have been seen at your outpatient appointment.

If you experience any increased pain, loss of vision, your eye becomes red and produces a sticky discharge or you have any other concerns, contact the team whose details are listed below.

Contacts

Retinal Nurses: 01223 274 865, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00

Ophthalmologist on-call: 01223 245 151 (out of hours)