Instructions for Patients who have had Surgery of the Retina or Vitreous

The following precautions should be observed for three weeks:

1. Do not lift anything that weighs more than five kilograms.
2. Do not bend over so that your head is below your waist.
3. Avoid sleeping on the operated side, unless you are instructed to do so.
4. Avoid sexual intercourse.
5. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
6. Do not rub the operated eye.
7. Avoid vigorous activity.
8. No automobile trips except to visit the doctor.
9. You may bathe carefully from below your neck and shave, but do not get the eyeball wet for at least two weeks. You may carefully clean the forehead and cheek with a wet cloth.
10. You may watch television sparingly.
11. You may gently rub the eyelids with cotton or a clean tissue moistened with warm water. Do not bathe the eyeball.
12. Eye bandage
    • You may remove the eye patch on your doctor’s advice (usually after one day).
13. Always wear either protective glasses or an ‘eye shield’ to avoid accidental injury.
14. Medication
    • Follow the instructions that are given to you when you leave the hospital.

Follow-up appointment

1. Please adhere to the follow-up appointment date given to you at the time of discharge. In case of doubt, contact us.
2. Some discharge from the eye is to be expected. This should normally show gradual improvement, but increasing discharge or pain or decreasing vision should be reported to the doctor immediately. You may call us for any other concerns that you have.

Instructions for Patients who have had Surgery of the Retina or Vitreous Special Face-Down orders

1. Certain retinal detachments require the placement of a bubble of sterile gas in the interior of the eyeball. When you observe a face-down position this gas rises toward the ceiling and pushes the retina back into place. The gas will be absorbed by the eye within a few weeks.
2.  You will be asked to lie on your side while in the recovery room.
3.  After moving to your ward bed, you will be placed in position (A) or (B).
4. (A) Place a pillow under the chest and a rolled-up towel (or small blanket) under the forehead.
5. (B) Lie on your side with your face turned toward the mattress.NOTE: The long axis of the head should always be parallel to the floor.
6. You may lie on your back for 3 – 4 minutes for changing of the eye bandage, putting eye drops or for the doctor’s examination.
7. For the first 10 days after surgery, you have a choice of five positions:

• (A) Prone 
• (B) On side
• (C) Sitting with elbows on knees.
• (D) Sitting with forehead on table edge, with small pillow 
• (E) Walking in the house with the long axis of head parallel to the floor.

8. Eat facing down, drink beverages with a straw.