How to Avoid Complications with Lens Implant Surgery

Having a lens implant or refractive surgery as it is also known is extremely safe. There are very few complications that can occur. Local anaesthetic is administered via eye drops before the procedure and the treatment lasts just 20 minutes per eye. If both eyes need doing, these won’t usually be done at the same time but instead two separate procedures will be carried out. Once the first eye has healed completely a few weeks later, the second eye can be done.

After the procedure the patient will be taken into the recovery room where they can sit and relax while the anaesthetic wears off. During this time it is imperative that the eye is not touched or rubbed. Feeling the eye at this time could cause problems to arise. The eyes may feel a little uncomfortable and even be slightly itchy, but touching them to relieve the sensations could be very dangerous. Patients should relax in the waiting room for as long as they need to. For most patients they are ready to go home about an hour after the procedure, but waiting for as long as you need is sensible.

To help the eyes heal you may be required to wear an eye patch for a few hours after the treatment. It is a good idea to get lots of sleep after the procedure which will get the eyes off to a good start in terms of healing. They eyes shouldn’t be strained at all for a few days after returning home. This may mean avoiding the television and reading too. Your consultant will be able to advise you on what steps are necessary to aid the healing process.

It is very important that you return to see the consultant who carried out the treatment less than a week after surgery. They need to be able to check on progress and ensure everything is healing properly. If you are given eye drops then you must take them as directed to avoid the chance of infection setting in. In a small number of cases the eyes continue to be slightly red or swollen for more than a week, the eye drops will help with this however. In a few cases there will be cloudy vision a few months after the treatment, this can be rectified easily however without the need for further surgery. You should be given a contact number at the follow up consultation. If you notice anything is not as it should be or you experience severe pain, swelling or redness then ring the contact number immediately. If there is a problem then it needs to be dealt with quickly so complete recovery is possible. There are rarely any problems or complications however following a refractive lens exchange.

If you work in a very dusty or smoky environment then you will need to wait at least two weeks before returning to work. Taking your eyes into an environment like this before they have properly healed could cause complications or an infection. Otherwise returning to work can be done just a few days after treatment. Don’t go back if you are still feeling the effects of the treatment. Wait until the eyes have more of less completely returned to normal and eyesight is clear and focused.

There are very few eye correction complications, however following treatment you should rest completely and avoid putting strain on your eyes. Lens implant surgery can help a number of conditions including cataracts, astigmatism and it can also correct problems such as long and shortsightedness. Refractive surgery rehab is very quick in an eye surgery hospital and patients can usually return to work and normal life just two or three days later. If you want to find out more you should contact your nearest eye hospital, potentially eye hospital Manchester.