Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery

Eye surgeons prescribe eye drops after cataract surgery for proper and speedy recovery of the eye after the procedure.

Your cataract surgery recovery must be short and uneventful, as long as your health is good and you do not have other major eye problems. Data also reveal that your possibilities of a good outcome and sharper vision after surgery are outstanding.

Straightforward cataract surgery often takes no longer than about 10 minutes to perform. But instantly after the surgery, you will need to rest in a recovery area up until you are less groggy from sedation or anesthesia. Generally this takes about 30 minutes to an hour.

Timely use of eye drops by the patient after cataract surgery is one of the reasons for the recovery of the eye.

Reyus Mammadli
Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery

Possible Complications: What to Expect After Cataract Surgery

Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery

Antibiotic eyedrops are used after cataract surgery to prevent infection and steroid and NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) eyedrops are used to reduce and remove inflammation. Typically, the antibiotic drops are used for about a week, while the anti-inflammatory drops are used three to 6 weeks or longer sometimes. Discuss your worry about your eye doctor and I’m sure that he or she will explain your specific scenario.

What Eye Drops Should I Buy to Use After Cataract Surgery?

In addition to the mandatory eye drops that the surgeon will prescribe for you to use after surgery (antibiotics and steroids), you may also need eye drops to prevent itching and dry eyes. We can recommend the following drops, which are better to have at home if you have had cataract surgery:

These lubing eye drops leave eyes feeling refreshed, bringing you relief and enduring defense against mild dry eye symptoms, consisting of:

  • Eye dryness
  • Eye irritation
  • Burning or stinging eyes
  • Scratchy eyes
  • Gritty eyes
  • Worn out eyes
  • Varying or blurry vision
  • Excessive tearing

  • Fast-acting, long-lasting eye itch relief
  • The first non-prescription eye drops that momentarily relieves itchy eyes for up to 12 hours with simply one drop.
  • Original prescription-strength formula does not utilize a vasoconstrictor
  • Safe and reliable for children aged 3 years and older.

Tips for Using Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery

Use both drops – antibiotic and NSAID (as Maxidex and chloramphenicol) 4 times a day for two weeks. The Maxidex drops can be used twice a day for a further two weeks and stopped. The chloramphenicol drops can be stopped after two weeks.

If you believe you missed your eye with your first eye drop then repeat and instil a second eye drop.

Read also: Pain After Cataract Surgery

What Is The Typical Cataract Surgery Recovery Time?

Do not be alarmed if your vision appears cloudy, blurry or distorted after you first remove the eye shield. It can spend some time for your visual system to adjust to the elimination of the cataract and adapt to the intraocular lens used to replace your eye’s natural lens.

eye drops after cataract surgery

During this adaptation period, some patients even report seeing “wavy” vision or distortions. This phenomenon, if present, should last just an hour or two.

You might also establish red and bloodshot eyes due to the fact that of temporary damage to blood vessels on the surface area of the “white” of your eye (sclera) during cataract surgery. As your eye heals, the redness must dissipate extremely rapidly within a number of days.

If you got an injection of anesthesia through the skin into the lower part of your eye, you might see some bruising much like a black eye. This, too, should fade within a few days.

Read more about Cataract Surgery Recovery Time and Healing Tips

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Comments: 2
  1. Michael Robinson

    Thank you so much for helping me understand more about which eye drops you should be using after a cataract surgery. As you mentioned, it is important to use antibiotic eyedrops after a surgery in order to prevent infections and help it recover. I think that this information is really important to anybody who is planning on going to take care of a cataract. Thanks again, and I will make sure to let my friend, Mike, know more about this since he has been having trouble seeing lately.

  2. Mlr

    Over the counter for dry eyes years later?

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