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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The Power of Postoperative Eyedrops
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During cataract surgery patients often ask, "When will it be over?" Fortunately, cataract surgery is a relatively brief procedure but, as I advise my patients, the real healing doesn't even begin until the operation is concluded.

Surgery is the easiest part about recovering vision loss due to cataract!

There is much that needs to be done before clear, long-term vision can develop. All of that rehabilitation occurs away from the hospital, away from the surgeon. Twenty years ago patients remained in the hospital for 3-5 days after uncomplicated cataract extraction. Today you are back home before lunch.

In 2007 the savage truth is that patients manage their own healing.

Besides avoiding strenuous activity and observing careful hand-washing, proper application of the prescribed eyedrops is the most important thing a patient can do to relieve post-op discomfort and to prevent complications after surgery.

New research data supports this time-honored advice.

Patients who faithfully instilled their nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory eyedrops after surgery were more comfortable than those who did not use their drops. Feeling no pain is a good thing, but keeping your eyesight is even more valuable. Folks who used their NSAID eyedrops (products like Xibrom, Acular LS, Nevanac and others) were far less likely to develop Cystoid Macular Edema (CME).

CME is a common cause of vision loss after cataract surgery. Weepy retinal blood vessels cause the delicate tissues to swell and visual clarity is lost. Most patients recover from CME but it greatly delays their visual recovery. Appropriate use of NSAID eyedrops has been shown to prevent this complication and accelerate healing.

Know somebody getting ready for cataract surgery? Remind them that the real work begins once they get off the operating table!

SOURCE: Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (Sep 2007) pages 1550-1558.

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Posted by: Dr. Lloyd at 1:33 PM

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