After Your Cataract Surgery | Post Operative Instructions

By Gregory H. Scimeca, M.D. | June 12, 2017

This is a summary of what to expect after your cataract surgery. You may download “Instructions for Post Operative Eye Care” for a complete list of our instructions.

Most of our cataract surgery is performed in one of our outpatient surgical centers. Immediately after surgery is completed, you will be wheeled to the recovery room. You will remain in the recovery room until you are ready to be discharged.

Eye Drops

Durezol – start when you get home from the surgical center. DUREZOL is a steroid eye drop and is used to help the eye heal. Use DUREZOL for 3 weeks in the following manner:

Weeks 1 & 2: 1 drop 3 times/day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Week 3: 1 drop 2 times/day (breakfast, dinner)

Besivance – continue using 3 times/day for 2 weeks or until finished

Ilevro – continue using 1 time/day for two weeks or until finished

Wait 5-10 minutes between each drop so the preceding drop does not get washed out before it is absorbed.

Protective Eye Shield

Use the protective eye shield for the first week after surgery. It’s a good idea to use a strip of tape to keep the shield in place. Use when napping and at bedtime.

Rubbing the eye and applying pressure to the upper lid can cause complications after your cataract surgery. The eye shield prevents inadvertent rubbing and pressing when you are asleep.

When to Call Your Doctor

There are several situations when you should call your eye doctor.

Pain/Unusual Redness/Injury – if you develop pain or unusual redness at some point after surgery or you may have injured your eye, please call your doctor.

Loss of vision – if at any point during your recovery, your vision gets worse, you should alert your eye doctor.

Pain, unusual redness and loss of vision could indicate serious complications which might require immediate attention. If you develop any of these symptoms, call your eye doctor right away.

If you need a complete list of post-operative instructions, please download here.

NOTE: In certain situations, patients may be given prescriptions for generic drugs, depending upon the insurance.

Other articles you may enjoy about your cataract surgery:

We look forward to seeing you.

Gregory Scimeca, M.D.
Ophthalmologist and Medical Director

Burlington County Eye Physicians
Eye Professionals, LLC (Millville, NJ)
Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Bucks County (Langhorne, PA)