PATIENT CARE AFTER CATARACT SURGERY

1. Activity should be markedly restricted, particularly during the first month after surgery.  This means no running, jumping, swimming, or rough play.
   
2. Leash walking is allowable, but the leash must be placed so that direct pressure on the neck is minimized.  A harness is ideal, but you may be able to improvise by looping the leash around a front leg.
   
3. No baths should be given during the first 1-2 weeks after surgery.  Otherwise, please check with the doctor for advice.
   
4. It is preferable to give pills in a small amount of canned food.  This is the easiest method and the safest way to prevent accidental trauma to the eye.
   
5. Please follow the medication schedule carefully.  Call if there are any questions or problems.  Do not discontinue any medications unless instructed to do so by the doctor.
   
6. Keep the protective Elizabethan collar on your pet for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery.  It is normal that it may take 1-2 days for your pet to adjust to the collar.  As distressing as it may seem, it is much  preferable to additional surgery trying to save a traumatized eye.
   
7. Please follow our recommendations for postoperative rechecks.  The postoperative care is vital to the success of cataract surgery.
   
8. Please call immediately if you detect any of the following signs:

• Overall cloudiness of the eye(s)
• Squinting of the eye(s)
• Bloody drainage from the eye(s)
• Loss of vision AFTER surgery