Patient Instructions (Post-Cataract Surgery)

Patient Name: [Patient name]

Date of Birth: [Date of birth]

Date of Surgery: [Date]

Eye: [Right / Left / Both]

Surgeon: [Surgeon name]

Phone: [Daytime number]; [After-hours number]

If these instructions conflict with what your surgeon told you, follow your surgeon's instructions and call us to clarify.

Today's Surgery

[Plain-language summary of what was done: which eye, procedure name such as "cataract removal with lens implant," and any details that change aftercare such as stitches or combined procedures] (Two to three short sentences. Include lens type only if it affects care. Avoid details that do not change patient actions. Do not finalize if eye laterality cannot be confirmed from the record.)

What to Expect

• Blurry or changing vision at first
• Mild irritation or a scratchy feeling
• Watery eye
• Mild redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Brief stinging when using eye drops
• Tiredness after sedation

Your Eye Drops

Medication	Eye	How Often / When	How Long / When to Stop
[Medication name]	[Right / Left / Both]	[Frequency and timing]	[Duration or stop rule]
[Medication name]	[Right / Left / Both]	[Frequency and timing]	[Duration or stop rule]
[Medication name]	[Right / Left / Both]	[Frequency and timing]	[Duration or stop rule]

(If a taper is used, write each step with dates or day ranges. If a dropless protocol was used, replace the table with: "Your medication was given during surgery. You may use lubricating drops for comfort as needed." Do not finalize if any medication is missing frequency, laterality, or stop rules.)

Space your drops: Wait [2–5] minutes between different drops.

How to use drops:

• Wash your hands.
• Do not touch the bottle tip to your eye or eyelashes.
• Pull the lower lid down to make a small pocket.
• Place one drop in the pocket. Close your eye gently.
• Wipe extra fluid from the skin.

Eye Care & Activities

• Wear the eye shield as instructed. Wear it during sleep for [number of nights, or "until cleared at follow-up" if not specified].
• Do not rub or press on your eye.
• You may shower. Keep soap and water out of the operated eye.
• Clean the eyelids gently with a clean tissue or gauze. Wipe from the inner corner outward. Do not press on the eye.
• Allowed: reading, TV, computer use, light walking, and light household tasks.
• Avoid heavy lifting, straining, bending with your head down, and vigorous exercise until cleared at follow-up.
• No swimming, hot tubs, or saunas until cleared at follow-up.
• No eye makeup for [duration, or "until cleared at follow-up" if not specified].
• Driving: Do not drive until your vision feels safe and you are cleared by your surgeon.
• Work: [Return-to-work guidance] (Include job type and plan if provided. Use "as comfort and vision allow" if not specified.)

Warning Signs — Call Immediately

• Severe or increasing eye pain
• Sudden worsening vision or any vision loss
• Increasing redness or swelling
• Thick or yellow-green discharge
• New flashes of light, a shower of floaters, or a curtain in your vision
• Nausea or vomiting with eye symptoms
• Any injury to the eye

Call during the day: [Daytime number]. Call after hours: [After-hours number]. If you cannot reach ophthalmology, go to the nearest emergency department.

Do not wait for your next appointment.

(Do not finalize if no after-hours contact pathway is documented.)

Follow-Up

[Follow-up date, time, and location] (If not yet scheduled, include how to schedule, the number to call, and the timeline to be seen.)

Purpose: Check healing, eye pressure, and adjust drop plan as needed.

(If surgery for the other eye is planned, include timing or scheduling plan.)