Following surgery at the hospital, you will be given an antibiotic ointment and pain medication. Take these medications according to the Doctor’s instructions.
The ointment can work its way onto the eyeball itself, causing your vision to appear slightly blurry. Some oozing of blood and fluid from the incision or fluid draining to form heavy “bags” under the eye is normal.
You should call our office immediately:
• If you feel an intense burning or itching
• If you experience an acute (sudden) visual loss
• If pain and discomfort persist
• If bleeding becomes excessive (enough to soak a washcloth)
• If you experience oozing of fluid that is greenish or yellowish in color, or observe progressive redness
Following your surgery, you should apply cold compresses against the eye area at least six times a day for no longer than 15 minutes at a time to reduce bruising, swelling, and pain. Cold gel packs or crushed ice wrapped in a clean towel are recommended. Make sure you keep your eyes shut while applying the compresses. Continue applying the compresses every day until the bruising and swelling begin to subside.
Don’t lift more than 10 lbs or do any rigorous activities for 7-10 days.
Keep your head elevated at night by propping it up with two or three pillows. Sleep on your back instead of your side or stomach, as this will keep blood flowing away from the swollen area.
As the bruising and swelling subside, the skin around the eye(s) can begin to become dry, itchy, or irritated. This is all part of the normal healing process. You can begin to apply warm compresses by taking a clean washcloth and wringing it out with warm water. Make sure the temperature is not too hot as this can damage the skin that is trying to heal.
The sutures should dissolve on their own in 7-10 days. If you have had non-dissolvable sutures placed, you will be informed and an appointment will be made for you to have them removed.
A post-operative appointment will be made for you when your surgery is scheduled. Please keep this appointment.