After your tear duct surgery, there are many things which you, the patient, can do to assure the best possible results from your operation. This care sheet gives you a general idea about what you can do to get better as quickly as possible as well as how long it might take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office at 801-685-3398.
Wound Care:
Use antibiotic ointment on the stitches twice a day. Also use the antibiotic eyedrops into the operative eye twice a day. Both of these need to be continued for 2 weeks.
Stent Care:
You have a silicone stent that goes from the inner corner of your eyelids down into the nose. It looks like a round loop of plastic tubing on the inner corner of the eye that was operated on. You may feel it rubs the eye as you look left and right. DO NOT TOUCH or RUB the stent. If it becomes dislodged it can affect the results of your surgery. Dr. Eftekhari will take this out in the office 2 months after surgery and that is not a painful procedure. The stent is keeping your new tear drainage system open.
Nasal Care:
You may have stuffiness and pressure in your nose on the side of the surgery for a period of time after surgery. DO NOT blow your nose after surgery. It is normal to have a few drops of blood out of the nose after surgery, and rarely even in the mouth. Dr. Eftekhari encourages you to use nasal saline sprays (Ocean Spray or other generic) to keep things moist after surgery on the inside of the nose. The more it stays moist inside the nose, the less scarring and crusting that can form. You can dab the moisture if your nose drips but do not forcibly blow your nose.
Vision
Your vision may be blurred and out of focus after surgery. You may experience periods where it feels like you are “looking through a window that’s not fully transparent” or you cannot get things into clear focus. This is usually from dryness of the eyes and may take 2-3 weeks at the least to improve. In addition, the antibiotic ointment that has been prescribed may temporarily blur your vision, but it is important to still use it. If your vision becomes gradually dimmer or completely dark, this is not normal and you need to call our office immediately.
Eye Care
For the first 48 hours after surgery, use ice packs frequently – 20 minutes per hour while awake – to help reduce swelling and bruising. Small bags of frozen peas make good ice packs. Remember to always put something between your skin and an ice pack (gauze pad, moist washcloth, etc). If you are wearing a patch or other type of dressing following surgery, keep this on for 24 hours if you can. After the first 2 days, you can use warm compresses on the eyes instead of icepacks.
For the first 7-10 days following surgery, you will need to treat your stitches with great care. It is okay to shower. You may gently clean the eyelashes and around the eyes with water moistened cotton balls. DO NOT RUB THE STITCHES VIGOROUSLY. Keeping the stitches moist with the prescription ointment will help promote healing and reduce scar formation.
Pain Control
If you have pain, use Tylenol up to 4 times a day by mouth. Please AVOID aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen for pain for at least the first 48 hours.
Activity
When you leave the surgery center, you should go home, rest, and be inactive. Using your eyes will NOT harm them, so feel free to read, watch TV, use the computer, etc. as desired. Driving depends on each individual, so check with our office if you have questions about driving.
Do not swim or do strenuous activities (anything that makes your face strain or turn red) for the first 10-14 days following surgery. Additionally, avoid bending which causes you head to go below your waist.
Do not wear eye makeup for 2 weeks. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, gardening, and dusting for 1-2 weeks to reduce risks of an infection.
Healing Course
Your eyelid and cheek will be swollen and bruised for 2 weeks after surgery. The appearance of your scar line will continue to get better for 1-6 months. Most people feel ready to go out in public in about 10-14 days. This will depend on your job as well as how you feel about people knowing about your surgery.
Numbness in the surgical area is expected. It might take 12-18 months for the feeling to return to normal. During this time sensations of itchiness, tingling, and occasional sharp pains might be noted. These feelings are normal and will subside once the nerves have completely healed.
Watch closely for changes in your health and be sure to contact our office if you have any problems.
Emergency:
If you experience SEVERE EYE PAIN or HEADACHE UNRELIEVED BY TYLENOL; NAUSEA or VOMITING; WORSENING REDNESS; or WORSENING VISION (especially vision that was initially better), please call Dr. Eftekhari at 801-685-3398 or 801-328-2522.