Monday, April 8, 2013

Reaching for the Light: Tips for Recovering from Glaucoma Surgery


Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in many countries worldwide. If you are about to undergo glaucoma surgery, make sure to follow your eye doctor's instructions on post-operative care to avoid any infection or complication. Here are some of the things he will order you to do:

Shower and Shine

Avoid taking showers in the first few days after surgery. Irritants like soap and other bath products can reverse the effects of the surgery and cause infection. Protect your eyes from sunlight as well. Wear eye shields in the first two days post surgery which is the most critical period.

Minimal Movement

Don't move around too much immediately after surgery. Abstain from your regular exercise, and avoid swimming. Excessive movement and water pressure can strain your eyes and lead to complications.

Quit Your Vices

Drinking alcohol can increase the fluid pressure in the eyes and worsen your situation. Smoking does the same thing because each cigarette can increase the intraocular pressure by 5.0 mm Hg or more. Stay away from both if you want to completely recover from your surgery.

Eye surgery centers and your professional ophthalmologists can only do so much to help cure you from glaucoma. With your full cooperation, you can wake up to see the light of day. 

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