What You Should Know Before Having Surgery Done on Your Eyes
Eye surgery can be particularly scary. Sight is an important sense and the fear of having work done on your eyes can be very stressful. Whether you are having laser eye surgery to correct your eyesight permanently or having a cataract removed – it’s normal to feel worried. But you can take a deep breath and relax a bit. Having some knowledge about what is going to happen can help alleviate most of your stress. Here are a few things you should know before having surgery done on your eyes.
What to Expect During Surgery
Fortunately for you, most eye surgeries are pretty quick, if you are having laser eye surgery, then your operation should last just thirty minutes. You will lay down in a reclining chair, and there will be the laser system, which may look intimidating but it’s really quite safe. The doctor will numb your eyes with an eye drop, and then the doctor will use a device called an eye speculum to hold your eye open. During the operation you may feel some slight discomfort while they perform the surgery on your eye, and you may have blurred or foggy vision during the procedure, and your sight will likely change throughout the procedure. Once the procedure is done, you will be given an eye shield, which will protect your eye during recovery.
Post-Op Care
Post-surgery you may experience burning, itching, and other discomfort in your eye. You will likely experience blurry vision for a while post-surgery. Whatever you do, do not rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes can cause all sorts of issues, dislodging things in your eye and requiring more procedures to correct. Inflammation is common after cataract surgery. Your doctor may prescribe you a drop to help relieve the inflammation and discomfort in your eye. It is important to take things slow with recovery from eye surgery. Avoid all sports for at least two days post-surgery, no swimming for four days, and wear your eye shield frequently for the first week at least.
Your New Vision
After the recovery stage is over, you will be amazed at how clearly you can see the world again. If you have been dealing with your eye issues for a long time, you may have forgotten what it is like to see the world clearly again. Having your vision restored from eye surgery can be a hugely emotional experience, so honor that. Let yourself celebrate your new vision, and remember to continue to take great care of your eyes to keep them in good shape.
Eye surgery is a very common procedure. But in spite of that it can still be a very stressful and scary thing to have done. But don’t worry, if you know what to expect from your surgery experience, you may find that you are less worried about it. Know that you are in good hands and look forward to life post-op.
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