Recent Cataract Surgery? Post-surgery Medications You Can Expect to Use

If you or someone you love is preparing to have cataract surgery, you’re probably a little nervous about aftercare. This is normal, of course! Though the surgery is a quick, modern process, now, your recovery matters, both to you and to your doctor. What can you expect to have sent home with you as medications, and why do you need them after surgery? What are the medications that you can expect to be using?

Antibiotics

After any surgery, antibiotics are an important thing to help you prevent bacterial infections from forming while you are healing. This is especially important when dealing with an injury or surgery to a delicate organ like the eye. The goal of antibiotics is to help make sure no infection form within your eye. You need to make sure that you take them as directed, on time (or very near to it), and until all of your medication is finished. You should never have “leftover” antibiotics!

Steroids

Ocular steroids are intended to help with inflammation that can occur after the operation has been completed. Sometimes people get nervous when they hear the word steroids, but don’t worry, this shouldn’t be a high enough dosage to cause you rage! Prednisone helps heal your body and is a short term dose. It can make your body lower swelling and heal more rapidly than without steroids.

Pain Medications

Another medication that you might be worried about is a pain medication, most likely an anti-inflammatory. It can be easy to think that you probably don’t need as much as prescribed, or to take it on the schedule you’re told. Follow your doctor’s counsel and instructions!

These things can be tricky to schedule, especially if some medications are every four hours and some every six! Use the tools nearby. Whether you add a stopwatch to a pill container and reset the timer when you take a pill, or ask your Alexa or Siri to remind you to take the medication in another four hours, keeping on a schedule is needed for your health!

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