How soon can I get my second cataract operation done?

Dr Glastonbury prefers to wait 3-4 weeks before operating on your second eye. This way, the healing and optical result of the first cataract operation can be assessed.

When can I get new glasses after surgery?

Dr Glastonbury will advise you of this, but generally, you should not aim to get new glasses until your eye has healed, so we would advise waiting approximately 6 weeks to avoid costly changes to your new lenses.

How long will I be at the Day Surgery for my operation?

You will usually be at the Day Surgery for a total of 2 – 2.5 hours on average

How soon can I drive after cataract surgery?

This depends on several factors, including the level of vision and driving license requirements. You should speak to Dr Glastonbury about this at your first post-operative appointment so that you can be sure that your vision is of a satisfactory standard to drive safely following surgery.

When can I stop bathing my eye after surgery?

You can stop bathing your eye 1 week after your operation.

Will I see Dr Glastonbury today?

You will see Dr Glastonbury every time you attend our rooms for consultation with an appointment.

When can I resume normal activities after surgery?

Generally speaking, you can return to your normal activities 2 weeks following cataract surgery, depending on your post-operative progress. Following pterygium surgery, it is important to keep out of bright sunlight and dirty and dusty environments, which could further irritate your eye. Following lid surgery, it is important to keep the wound clean and dry, so you should avoid environments and activities that will not enable you to do this. You should not swim after an eye operation in the immediate post-operative phase.

My eye is watery; how can it be dry?

It may not seem sensible, but dry eyes often lead to watery eyes. When the eyes dry out, they become irritated and uncomfortable. That prompts the lacrimal glands to produce so many tears that they overwhelm the eye's natural drainage system. Tear production tends to lessen with age, so dry eyes are more common in older adults. Some medical conditions and medications can also lead to dryness, as can dry and windy weather/seasons and environments.

How long does the cataract surgery take?

The surgery itself is usually fairly quick, but it depends on the density of the actual cataract.

Will Dr Glastonbury be doing my operation?

Yes, he will. If he is the doctor who has seen you and booked your surgery, he will be your surgeon.

Cataract Surgery Townsville | Post Op Care

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. At first, any blurred eyesight may be almost unnoticeable. However, cataracts eventually result in severe blurred vision that has a major impact on your independence and lifestyle. A cataract is not a visible film on the outside of the eye, and there may not be any obvious signs that it is developing as it usually develops over time.

Common cataract symptoms include:

Deterioration of your distance & reading vision
Hazy, fuzzy or blurred vision
Increased sensitivity to light & glare
Difficulty driving at night
No improvement in vision with stronger glasses

Book an appointment with 130eye on 07 4779 8008. Please note that you will require a referral from your general practitioner or optometrist for your consultation with Dr Glastonbury. Located at Ross River Rd in Townsville, our practice is open Monday-Friday.

Eye With Cataracts — Your Ophthalmologist in Townsville, QLD

Eye Without Cataracts — Your Ophthalmologist in Townsville, QLD

Before After

The development of cataracts occurs naturally as a result of the ageing of the eye, and the diagnosis of cataracts in adults over 50 is not unusual. Blunt trauma can also be one of the other causes of cataract development. Cataracts sometimes occur in infants and children as a congenital defect.

Normally, the lens at the front of the eye focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, which creates a clear, sharp image. When the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and hazy, light cannot pass through freely, and your vision becomes blurred.

Cataract operations are performed routinely. There is no need to stay overnight in the hospital, and generally, you will be home within a few hours of your cataract surgery. Not all cataracts require treatment, but if your vision is affected and it begins to interfere with your work and lifestyle or prevents you from carrying out your normal daily living activities, Dr Glastonbury may suggest that you consider surgery.

After Cataract Surgery Care

LEAVE YOUR EYE PAD ON UNTIL YOUR POST-OPERATIVE APPOINTMENT THE MORNING AFTER YOUR SURGERY. DO NOT INSTILL ANY DROPS.

Bathe your eye twice a day (morning & night) with saline solution. You will need to use a clean gauze square for each wipe across the lid. Wipe from the inner corner of the eye and outward. Use a fresh gauze square for each wipe of the eye. DO NOT WIPE THE SURFACE OF YOUR EYE, ONLY YOUR EYELIDS
Tape your eye shield over the operated eye each night for one week postoperatively. This will give you added protection from bumping your eye during the night.
Use your drops after each bathing and at the other times as directed:
You have two types of drops:
TOBREX (antibiotic drop).
MAXIDEX (anti-inflammatory drop).

After your operation, you need to use both types of your drops in the eye that was operated on until your next appointment with Dr Glastonbury. You should leave about 2 minutes between the instillation of each type of drop. Shake the eye drop bottles before using them. Drops should be instilled four times a day – BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER & BEDTIME without touching the surface of your eye with the tip of the bottle.

Wear sunglasses while outdoors; you will be more sensitive to glare in the post-operative phase.
You may read or watch TV if you can tolerate it; you will not harm your eye.
Ask Dr Glastonbury when you can drive again. Definitely DO NOT drive on the day of surgery or the day after surgery.
Bring your eye drop bottles to the post-operative appointments.

DON’T

Don’t rub or put your fingers into your eye.
Don’t apply pressure to the eye when instilling the eye drops
Don’t bend your head lower than your chest for two weeks.
Don’t lift anything heavy for two weeks following your surgery.
Don’t sleep on the same side as your healing eye for one week. Sleep on the opposite side or on your back.
Don’t be concerned about washing your hair. You can wash it under the shower but close your eyes.

IMPORTANT

Contact the surgery if:

Your vision deteriorates significantly and suddenly.
If you experience deep, SEVERE pain in your eye.
If you develop a yellowish discharge from your eye.

Please Remember:

It is very important that you have assistance available to you in the immediate post-operative period when you return home and overnight. You will still have residual anaesthetic agents in your body, and you will also experience a degree of visual impairment due to your operated eye being patched. This can alter your depth perception when attending to certain domestic tasks in the home, such as pouring hot water. There is also an increased risk of falling postoperatively.

It is a requirement of the North Queensland Day Surgery that you have someone to accompany and stay with you in the immediate post-operative stage.

You have had an operation, and you will have some post-operative discomfort, as with most surgery. If you have had your other eye operated on in the past, please be aware that the post-operative phase for your current surgery may not follow the same recovery path as your other eye surgery. This is not abnormal.

You may experience some dull aching discomfort in the first 24-hour period postoperatively above your eyebrow, or you may experience it as a dull headache. You should have effective pain relief available for this period of time should you need it. Please DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN for pain following your eye surgery.
You may experience a sensation of having something in your eye in the first few days postoperatively. You may notice your eye is watery. This is your incision, and over the first few days, you may notice this sensation, particularly when you are blinking, tired or trying to focus on a TV screen or computer screen when your eye may be a little dry. This sensation will improve. If you are concerned, please call our rooms on 47 798008 for further instruction and advice.

Click to Download Printable Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon can I get my second cataract operation done?

Dr Glastonbury prefers to wait 3-4 weeks before operating on your second eye. This way, the healing and optical result of the first cataract operation can be assessed.
When can I get new glasses after surgery?

Dr Glastonbury will advise you of this, but generally, you should not aim to get new glasses until your eye has healed, so we would advise waiting approximately 6 weeks to avoid costly changes to your new lenses.
How long will I be at the Day Surgery for my operation?

You will usually be at the Day Surgery for a total of 2 – 2.5 hours on average
How soon can I drive after cataract surgery?

This depends on several factors, including the level of vision and driving license requirements. You should speak to Dr Glastonbury about this at your first post-operative appointment so that you can be sure that your vision is of a satisfactory standard to drive safely following surgery.
When can I stop bathing my eye after surgery?

You can stop bathing your eye 1 week after your operation.
Will I see Dr Glastonbury today?

You will see Dr Glastonbury every time you attend our rooms for consultation with an appointment.
When can I resume normal activities after surgery?

Generally speaking, you can return to your normal activities 2 weeks following cataract surgery, depending on your post-operative progress. Following pterygium surgery, it is important to keep out of bright sunlight and dirty and dusty environments, which could further irritate your eye. Following lid surgery, it is important to keep the wound clean and dry, so you should avoid environments and activities that will not enable you to do this. You should not swim after an eye operation in the immediate post-operative phase.
My eye is watery; how can it be dry?

It may not seem sensible, but dry eyes often lead to watery eyes. When the eyes dry out, they become irritated and uncomfortable. That prompts the lacrimal glands to produce so many tears that they overwhelm the eye's natural drainage system. Tear production tends to lessen with age, so dry eyes are more common in older adults. Some medical conditions and medications can also lead to dryness, as can dry and windy weather/seasons and environments.
Does Dr Glastonbury do intravitreal injections?

Yes
How long does the cataract surgery take?

The surgery itself is usually fairly quick, but it depends on the density of the actual cataract.
Will Dr Glastonbury be doing my operation?

Yes, he will. If he is the doctor who has seen you and booked your surgery, he will be your surgeon.