Rehabilitation after lens replacement surgery

In today's world with the rapid development of information technology, visual impairment occurs in a large number of people. To maintain visual acuity, more than 8 million lens replacement surgeries are performed annually. In order for the result of the surgical intervention to be most effective, the patient must follow certain recommendations during the recovery period. Proper rehabilitation after lens replacement surgery is one of the main conditions for the speedy return of visual function.

Stages of the operation

1. using the laser method, the lens of the eye is given a state of emulsion;
2. the remnants of the lens are removed;
3. a flexible artificial lens is placed on the eyeball, capable of taking the desired shape;
4. the operation is performed under local anesthesia, its duration is about 1 hour.

Benefits of lens replacement surgery:

• painlessness;
• easily tolerated regardless of age;
• no seams remain;
• safe materials and high-quality tools are used;
• the absence of hard-to-implement recommendations during the recovery period.

Contraindications for carrying out:

• children's age up to 18 years;
• pregnant and lactating women;
• the presence of inflammatory processes in the eyes;
• various pathologies of the retina;
• heart disease suffered shortly before the procedure;
• diabetes, diseases of the joints and muscles, bronchial asthma, psoriasis, skin diseases, etc.

Eye lens replacement surgery - postoperative period

How quickly the recovery process will take place after the operation depends on the professionalism of the doctors and the patient himself.

After the operation is completed, a bandage is applied to the patient, which prevents the ingress of germs, various bacteria and contaminants. After a day, the bandage can be removed and the eye treated with a solution of furacilin.

The first days after the operation it is better not to go outside. If such a need nevertheless arose, the eye must be protected with a bandage and blinking should not be allowed. The incision site heals for about a week, and visual function is fully restored within 3 months.

What are the restrictions after lens replacement surgery

The patient must be aware of the restrictions that are imposed by the doctor after the operation to replace the lens:

1. prohibited from driving
2. exclude any physical activity
3. if possible, do not tilt your head down
4. do not lift objects weighing more than 5 kg.
5. work at the computer and watching TV is unacceptable
6. do not use makeup and do not wash with soap
7. exclude visits to the pool, sauna, solarium, do not take hot baths
8. the first month do not sleep on the stomach and the side where the operation was performed
9. avoid getting foreign objects in the eye
10. give up alcohol and cigarettes
11. avoid contact with chemicals and other hazardous substances.

rehabilitation period

There are 3 stages in the postoperative period after the replacement of the lens of the eye:

1. First 7 days after surgery. There are painful sensations in the eye, which can be alleviated with special drops. It is allowed to take painkillers only after consulting a doctor. At this stage, swelling of the eyelids may occur, which can be removed by adjusting the diet and choosing the right sleeping position.
2. From the 8th to the 30th day. Vision is not yet stable and it is mandatory to use glasses when watching TV or reading books. From the 8th day, the patient needs to apply eye drops according to a specific scheme prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
3. From the 31st to the 180th day. At this stage, the final restoration of vision occurs. To prevent the occurrence of complications, it is necessary to continue to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician.

Possible Complications

After the operation, there may be some complications associated with the individual characteristics of the organism, violations of the doctors' prescriptions, or the surgeon's mistake during the operation itself.

There are the following types of complications:

• inflammatory processes in the eye, which are eliminated within 3-7 days after the use of antibacterial drops
• retinal detachment: more often than others, patients with diabetes mellitus or patients suffering from myopia are susceptible to this. For treatment, laser surgery or cryotherapy is used.
• increased intraocular pressure: occurs due to a strong load on vision or due to a genetic predisposition. To reduce intraocular pressure, special medications are prescribed or the anterior chamber of the eye is washed
• repeated cataract may appear in the first months of the postoperative period or after a few years. You can reduce the likelihood of a recurrence if you entrust the operation to real professionals and strictly follow all the prescriptions of doctors
• prolapse of the iris: may occur if the operation is performed with an incision of insufficient length. After that, astigmatism appears, the wound heals heavily or the skin grows. If such a complication appeared in the first two weeks after the operation, then additional stitches are applied, if a longer period has passed, the iris is removed
• displacement of the artificial lens: to eliminate it is necessary to re-operate the patient.

Prevention measures

To date, it is impossible to say with certainty what exactly affects the occurrence of eye diseases. However, the main causes of cataracts are hereditary predisposition and advanced age. Other factors can be influenced if the following recommendations are followed:

• reduce the effect of ultraviolet radiation. On sunny days, be sure to wear dark glasses.
• people with diabetes as early as possible to establish the process of metabolism of carbohydrates in the body
• avoid extreme sports to prevent possible falls and head bumps
• regularly see an ophthalmologist
• in case of vision problems, it is recommended to wear "chameleon" glasses that change their properties depending on the lighting
• Proper and varied nutrition, the daily diet should contain fresh vegetables and fruits
• Regular hand washing reduces the possibility of eye infections
• with a hereditary predisposition to vision problems, it is better to stop drinking alcohol and nicotine
• use of eye drops for prevention. Before use, an ophthalmologist's consultation is necessary.
• avoid becoming overweight
• observe safety measures when working with hazardous working conditions
• wear quality sunglasses to keep UV rays out of the lens of the eye
• Do regular exercises to relax your eyes.

Thus, with full observance of the recommendations of the attending physician, the period of recovery of vision after the operation will pass much faster and the patient will again have the opportunity to enjoy all the colors of life. After all, 90% of the information about the world around us comes to us through the eyes. Reliable operation of the organs of vision is a guarantee of high quality and fullness of life. Therefore, it is important to take care of the eyes from a young age, take preventive measures to maintain visual acuity and lead a healthy lifestyle.