To avoid activities that require bending over To place an eye shield on the surgical eye at bedtime To contact the surgeon if a decrease in visual acuity occurs To take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for minor eye discomfort
After eye surgery. some scratchiness and mild eye discomfort may occur in the operative eye and is usually relieved by mild analgesics. If the eye pain becomes severe. the client should notify the surgeon because this may indicate hemorrhage. infection. or increased intraocular pressure. The nurse would also instruct the client to notify the surgeon of purulent drainage. increased redness. or any decrease in visual acuity. The client is instructed to place an eye shield over the operative eye at bedtime to protect the eye from injury during sleep and to avoid activities that increase intraocular pressure such as bending over.
