Infection Control Interventions After Cataract Surgery

Eye cataract surgery can dramatically improve your vision when conservative treatments such as wearing stronger glasses are ineffective. During your surgery, your doctor will remove the cloudy lens of your eye called the cataract, and replace it with a small plastic implant that resembles a clear contact lens. Cataract removal surgery is considered a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and most patients recover quickly. While the risk for a post-operative infection is minimal following cataract surgery, consider the following interventions to further reduce your risk.

Proper Use Of Eye Drops 

Before your doctor discharges you from the outpatient surgical center, they will give you a prescription for eye drops. These eye drops will include anti-inflammatory or steroid drops to keep eye swelling to a minimum, and preventative antibiotic drops to lower your risk for a post-operative infection.

Finish the entire prescriptions of your eye drops per your doctor's orders to help ensure proper healing and reduce your risk for infection. Be sure to wash your hands or wear gloves prior to using your eye drops and make sure that the tip of the bottle does not accidentally brush against your eyeball because this can introduce bacteria into your eye, raising your risk for infection. If it is hard for you to put your drops in your eyes, ask someone to do it for you or call your doctor for advice.

Sunglasses And Protective Shield

Your eyes may become very sensitive to light following your cataract surgery. Eye sensitivity in response to bright light is known as photophobia. Because photophobia is common after cataract surgery, your eye doctor will recommend wearing sunglasses to shield your eyes from the bright rays of the sun.

If you do not wear sunglasses when outdoors, your eyes may become sensitive and irritated, prompting you to rub them, which can increase infection risk. In addition, the doctor or nurse will place a protective shield over the operated eye immediately following your surgery. This is to prevent injury to the eye and to prevent debris from getting into your eye, which can also heighten the risk for infection. When you visit your doctor for your postoperative examination they will let you know when you no longer need to wear your protective eye shield.

Consider the above infection control interventions if you are anticipating an upcoming eye cataract surgery. When you follow your surgery discharge orders and take steps to prevent infection, you will be more likely to enjoy a speedy recovery and clearer vision following your cataract removal procedure.

For more information, contact a company like Sabates Eye Centers.


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