Instructions for Patients who have had VITREO-RETINA surgery

If you have undergone a Vitreo-retina surgery, a Gas bubble or Silicon oil might have been put inside your eyes. Your surgeon will inform you regarding the tamponade used. Post operatively you may be asked to maintain Prone / head down position or a particular position. Please follow the underlying instructions-

POST OPERATIVE POSITIONING

STRICTLY MAINTAIN THE POSITION AS ADVISED TO YOU :

• After Vitrectomy surgery, sometimes a gas bubble or silicon oil may be put inside the eye. As you lie face down the gas bubble will rise up towards the ceiling and help in pushing the retina back to its place or acting as a tamponade.
  • To maintain the position – Place a small pillow under your chest and a rolled up towel under the forehead.
  • You can also sit while keeping the head parallel to the floor.
  • You can lie on your back intermittently for a couple of minutes if you are tired or while putting eye drops.
  • The position has to be maintained till gas absorbs which may be from 2 weeks to 6 weeks. On an average it needs to be maintained for a month
  • Eat with head facing down , drink with a straw
• Avoid Air travel or travelling to a high altitude if a Gas bubble has been put inside the eye. It is advisable to consult your operating surgeon before travel.
• If you plan to undertake any other operative procedure inform the anesthetist beforehand about the presence of gas bubble in your eye.

OTHER GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Wear protective glasses for 2 weeks to avoid any accidental injury
• Do not lift heavy weights or do strenuous activity
• Do not rub or press the operated eye
• Avoid putting water in the operated eye for 2 weeks. You can have a bath below the neck.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages
• Do not sleep on the side of surgery unless you have been advised to do so.
• To clean the eye of discharge and deposits – put some cotton in water and boil it for 10 minutes or you can use sterile lid wipes to clean the lids without pressing the eye
• Avoid sexual intercourse for a month.

MEDICATION
Please use the medicines as advised on your discharge summary, in case of unavailability of any particular drug kindly ask the alternatives before leaving the hospital. In case of any queries feel free to call. Please remember the following instructions before you start instilling eye drops-

• Do not use needle or pin to puncture the medicine vial. The vial can be opened by removing the seal and tightening the cap
• Always open a new vial of eye drops after surgery.
• Once opened an eye drop can be used for up to a month. Purchase a new eye drop after a month. Store the eye drops in a cool dark place.
• Use a sanitizer or wash hands before instilling the eye drops into the eyes and avoid touching the nozzle

FOLLOW-UP
You will be asked to follow up the next day of surgery and subsequent schedule will be written on the discharge summary or will be intimated at your every visit.