If necessary, bathe the eye with cooled boiled water and cotton wool. If no positioning is required, avoid strenuous activity (weight lifting & swimming) for two weeks. Watching TV and reading will cause no harm.
Do not perform any “jarring” or strenuous activities like jumping, running, or straining until your surgeon has given you permission. Keep the eye patch and shield on until the morning after surgery. Take the patch and shield off the morning after surgery and begin using your post-operative eye drops as directed.
Work: You may return to work in about 1 to 2 weeks. If your work involves physical activity or driving, you will need to restrict your activities and remain home longer. You may watch TV, look at magazines, or work puzzles. Reading may be uncomfortable for several days, but using the eyes will not cause any damage.
Unlike cataracts, retina problems requiring surgery often times result in permanent visual loss. When vision improves it is gradual. In fact complete healing after retinal surgery often takes 6 months. In most cases, the visual acuity at 6 months will be the final vision.
The most common restrictions following retinal detachment repair include avoiding air travel, maintaining certain head positions, and avoiding high-level visual tasks. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina spontaneously separates from the back of the eye, most commonly between the ages of 50 and 70.
You need to maintain a specific head position for at least three days after surgery. You will need to sleep with head tilted to the side opposite to where the retina break is found at the time of surgery to allow the gas bubble to keep the retina in place around the break area until the retina seals in that area.
The timing depends on the type of gas used: short-acting gas (SF6) takes 2 to 3 weeks to disappear; long-acting gas (C3F8) takes about 2 months. When the gas bubble is down to half size, you will see a horizontal line across your vision, bobbing up and down with head movement.
Resuming physical activity after retinal surgery
Ask your surgeon when you can get back to your normal routine. No strenuous (tough or challenging) exercise for 1 to 2 weeks after most retinal surgery. Light exercise, like walking, may be safe.
After surgery for retinal detachment
During the post-operative period: Your eye may be uncomfortable for several weeks, particularly if a scleral buckle has been used. Your vision will be blurry – it may take some weeks or even three to six months for your vision to improve.
Following retinal detachment surgery, it is important that flying is completely avoided until your eye has fully healed. This is usually for 3 to 4 weeks after surgery but possibly longer after some retinal detachment surgeries. Sometimes during surgery a gas bubble is used to help keep the retina in place.
Avoid getting soapy water in your eye but it will not harm the healing process. Do not wash your hair for a few days. Avoid any bending or lifting for 1 week after surgery. After 1 week, you may do light housework and bend over to pick up light objects.
Looking at screens will not damage their eyes, he says, but it is better to avoid such activities. Optegra's Consultant Ophthalmologist, Wisam Muen recommends avoid looking at screens for a week after surgery to give the eyes time to heal.
Do not lie flat on your back until the gas has been fully absorbed: this can be up to eight weeks; this varies depending on the concentration and type of gas we have used. Do not fly in an aeroplane until the gas bubble has been fully absorbed; this can be up to 8 weeks following surgery.
Lying down: Lie face down on a pillow; have the recovering side of your face hang off the edge of the bed. This helps reduce pain and keeps pressure off your operated eye. Anytime: Use special equipment that can make it easier to stay face down or sideways.
It is very important not to rub, bump, or put any pressure on the eye. During the day, you should either wear a pair of glasses (sunglasses, reading glasses, distance glasses are all fine) or wear the hard plastic shield. This is not to protect the eye from light, rather to protect it from being bumped.
Can I drive after the operation? You probably won't be able to drive for 6 to 8 weeks after your operation while the gas bubble is still present in your eye. Speak to your specialist if you're unsure. You'll notice the bubble shrinking and will be aware when it has completely gone.
What causes retinal detachment? There are many causes of retinal detachment, but the most common causes are aging or an eye injury.
Certain retinal surgeries require that you keep your head in a face down (parallel to the ground) position during recovery. If this position is not maintained for several weeks after surgery, the surgery will not be successful.
Don't do things that might cause you to move your head. This includes moving quickly, lifting anything heavy, or doing activities such as cleaning or gardening. If your doctor used an oil or gas bubble to hold the retina in place, keep your head in a certain position for a few days or longer after the surgery.
You should avoid exercising for at least 2 weeks following your surgery. You may resume normal activities, little by little. After week 1, you may start by walking as much as a mile.
You may shower after your surgery, making sure to prevent any water or soap from getting in your eyes, especially within the first week after treatment.
The first 24 hours after LASIK are important for the healing process. During this time, you should take it easy and not strain your eyes. Try to stay away from watching TV, looking at your phone or tablet, playing video games, or reading for at least the first day.
For the same reason, we also advise that you don't participate in any sports or exercise until about the third day after your treatment. Don't worry, though – light activities such as walking and stretching are typically fine in this period.
Since the retina lines the back of the eye, your head must be face down or to a specific side (depending upon your condition), so that the bubble floats in the correct position and holds the retina in place correctly. The surgery may not work unless you maintain the correct position.