How long will I be in hospital for my operation?
If you have a cataract operation or a lid operation you will be in and out of hospital on the same day. Very occasionally if you have a complex procedure or if the procedure is performed in the late evening you will have an overnight stay and will be discharged the nest morning.
If you have a vitrectomy you will have an overnight stay and be admitted to a bed on the ward. You will usually be discharged the next day.
Removal of Silicone oil procedures will often be combined with cataract removal and lens implantation. They are performed as daycase surgery so you will be in and out of hospital on the same day.
Laser procedures and lacrimal punctal plug insertion procedures are performed in the out-patient department. You will be booked for a 30 minute out-patient appointment and will be able to go home after this.
Will I experience pain after my surgery?
Cataract surgery is virtually painless and you should contact my office urgently on 0121 242 2160 if you suffer significant pain after the operation. By that, I mean pain that cannot be controlled with paracetamol.
After vitreoretinal surgery you will have a mild pain that can be controlled with simple pain killers like paracetamol. If the pain becomes severe you must contact my office on 0121 242 2160 so that an earlier appointment can be arranged. We inject a local anaesthetic at the end of the procedure to abolish immediate post-operative pain, when this wears off after approximately 8 hours mild pain will occasionally be felt.
What are the signs of infection after surgery?
If your vision becomes good and then deteriorates or if your eye becomes red and painful after the operation, you may have a postoperative infection. You must contact my office on 0121 242 2160 or attend your local eye casualty to have the diagnosis of an eye infection excluded. Early treatment can save your sight. An eye infection remains a very rare cause of a post-operative problem with a rate of less than 1 in 1000.
What happens if you put gas in my eye?
After a vitrectomy you will on occasion have gas placed in your eye to keep your retina flat. You will be instructed to posture for approximately 45 minutes in every hour in an appropriate position for between 7 and 10 days depending on the operation that you have had.
A retinal detachment will require 7 days posturing whereas macular hole surgery requires 10 days posturing. After this time you do not need to position yourself even if there is still a gas bubble remaining. You will have the odd experience, as the gas bubble resolves, of being able to look over the bubble as it crosses the mid-line of your vision. Do not be worried by this, it is perfectly normal.
What happens if you put silicone oil in my eye?
Silicone oil is injected into the eye and is used to keep the retina flat after surgery. It is a permanent agent and requires removal between 6 and 12 weeks after the initial surgery. Occasionally it is left in for longer without harm to the eye. When it is removed you need another operation to take it out, this is often combined with cataract surgery. Posturing is less crucial with silicone oil injection and you will be instructed if it is required.
Can I fly after surgery?
If you have had gas injected into the eye you cannot fly until the bubble resolves. Occasionally a small bubble is acceptable but you need advice from your Consultant Ophthalmologist before you can fly while it is still present. If you do fly, the gas bubble will expand while you are in the aeroplane and it can make the eye painful.
Do I have to put drops in my eye after surgery?
Yes, your will normally need to put in two sets of drops in the operated eye for approximately two weeks after surgery. These drops will be tailed off over the next two to three weeks if the eye is satisfactory. Occasionally other drops are added to counter intraocular pressure rises, as required.