General Instructions for patients after an eye operation.
The instructions hereunder are prepared to provide general information and advice regarding your eye condition and are designed to provide you with a guide on how to look after your eye.

These guidelines on eye care cannot of course be exhausive and taking these precautions may not prevent complications altogether. However, they serve as a useful guide to you in caring for your eye after an operation; and may help to reduce risks, which could contribute to complications.

EMERGENCIES
If you should experience

Significant pain, not relieved by medication Severe swelling/ redness of the eye and excessive discharges Sudden drop in vision

Please call us at Tel: (65) 6322-8851 during office hours.
After office hours, on Sunday and on Public Holidays, you are advice to seek treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department, Singapore General Hospital

or call Tel: (65) 6532-4865 / (65) 6535-8833 and contact the SNEC Doctor-on-call.

Follow-up Appointment
Remember to keep your appointment with the doctor as follow-up care is crucial in preventing eye complications.

Care for your Eye

Keep the eye covered till the next day Do not apply any eye drops/ ointment to the operated eye on the operation day. You may be admitted to the inpatient ward for a few days if your condition requires admission on your doctor's assessment. The ward nurse will remove your pad/ shield the next day. She will clean your eye and instill eye drops/ ointment for you. Meanwhile, she will show you and your family members how to instill the eye drops and advise you on eye care. There may be slight redness and swelling and your vision may be blurred, but this effect will gradually disappear.

Special Instructions

Avoid rubbing the eye or close it too tightly or apply any pressure on it for six (6) weeks. Mild pain may be relieved by analgesics prescribed to you by your surgeon. You may experience discomfort in your eye due to the sutures and this feeling may persist. Avoid swimming until your doctor gives you permission. Avoid getting soap and water into the eye lid when you wash your face. You may experience blood stained discharges for the first few days - just wipe it off with clean tissues. You must use the cartella shield to cover your eye at night for 3 to 4 weeks to protect accidental rubbing of the eye. You may resume washing your hair the salon way by tilting your head slightly backwards. Avoid vigorous coughing and sneezing. No specific sleeping position. You can lie in any comfortable position. However, avoid pressure on the operated eye.

Medications

Take medication as prescribed. Apply eye drops/ ointment using the following technique: shake the bottle, remove the cap hold the bottle close but without touching the lashes

EMERGENCIES NUMBERS

(65) 6322 8851
(office hours)

(65) 6532 4865 /
(65) 6535 8833
(Doctor-on-call)