Post Cataract Operation Care

[Big Boy]

Earlier this week I had my 2nd eye done - no dramas, still better than a visit to the dentist.

We have a lot of foreign visitors here at the moment, with a new batch arriving yesterday. When they came to the house, I thought I'd be sociable, and have my current favourite - a Dunkel shandy. Mrs. BB went crazy. "You aren't allowed alcohol for 2 months after the op," she shouted. A quick check of the advice sheet issued by the hospital, and sure enough, it says 2 months (I did have my shandy, and survived).

A quick check with Mr. Google and the suggestion was at least 24 hours.

This got me delving deeper. Coffee - none for 7 days. FFS, I survive on coffee, and have done since the op. The explanation of high blood pressure made sense, but I check my BP regularly, and am always low anyway.

The big surprise was allowed to drive after 24 hours. I don't intend driving until tomorrow anyway.

I'm still reeling from the alcohol and coffee advice. I know many on here have had cataract ops. Were you aware of such advice being in existence? I was oblivious because the advice sheet was in Thai, but quite a shocker.

[Dannie Boy]

I’ve not had any cataract surgery so had no knowledge, but a Google search comes up with umpteen versions of similar advice to that provided by Moorfields - one of the most prominent eye specialists in the UK - and none of them mention anything about avoiding alcohol or coffee, although like you, there was a separate comment about avoiding alcohol for 24 hours, but nothing about coffee
https://www.moorfields-private.co.uk/ne ... ct-surgery

[Big Boy]

Unfortunately, my op was not done by Moorfields, it was done by Hua Hin Hospital, and I 'should' be following their advice.

I looked at a lot of advice on Google last night (didn't see Moorfields), and all talked about alcohol restrictions (not as severe as HHH). The advice was so dominant, I wonder if Moorfields have it right on this occasion.

[PeteC]

No none at all. I've had both done a few years ago and I wasn't given any restrictions, except to keep shower water away from it for a few days. My advice is to ignore it. As we know since Covid, many MD's are in full control mode.

You didn't mention any restrictions when you had the first eye done?

[Big Boy]

You didn't mention any restrictions when you had the first eye done?

Same piece of paper, written in Thai. Nobody told me. I'm not a drinker anyway. The fact is, if you Google it, every piece of advice, except for Moorfields apparently, says restrict alcohol, coffee, etc.

[VincentD]

BB
I've just had my second procedure done mid-January. Basic advice is, keep water away from the eye. Nothing really said about alcohol or coffee, but I did abstain for a couple of days. The incision does take a while to heal, so any exertion is to be avoided. Included in the post-care notes (Thai language. had my son read the parts I found weird) is to avoid straining the bowels. But I did find that alcohol consumption could raise the internal pressure of the liquid in the eyeball; had rainbow halos on waking up, but went away after an hour or so. Could have been the ointment I had to smear on the eyeball each night as well)
I'd take it easy, and assume it will take at least six months for the incision to heal completely, but normal activity should be okay after a month.
But the difference it makes after the procedure is like night and day!

[Dannie Boy]

You didn't mention any restrictions when you had the first eye done?

Same piece of paper, written in Thai. Nobody told me. I'm not a drinker anyway. The fact is, if you Google it, every piece of advice, except for Moorfields apparently, says restrict alcohol, coffee, etc.

My first Google search didn’t show a single site that specifically mentions avoiding alcohol unless you include it as a specific - even the NHS is silent on it!!
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract- ... /recovery/

[Big Boy]

That is amazing, everything I looked at yesterday was saying no alcohol. Of course, the important thing that I 'should' take notice of is the Hospital after care notice. That most definitely states 2 months.

Don't worry guys, I did have my shandy last night, and I have survived the ordeal. As for coffee, after the op, the first thing I did was walk into Amazon and ordered a large latte whilst waiting for my taxi. I have been drinking my hourly coffee ever since. My new eye is brilliant, much better than the first one, which I put down to the fact it was done by a robot this time.

[Dannie Boy]

I looked with my VPN set to UK, maybe that’s why?


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[Big Boy]

Yes, that could well be the difference

[HHTel]

I had mine done years ago by Dr. Pairat a month apart. The actual op was completely painless.
Within an hour after each op I was in my local having a celebratory pint! I was never told of any restrictions apart from keeping the patch on for 24 hours.

[PeteC]

Thai actions are many times taken from western examples. Malpractice law suits and awards are a big thing in the west, but virtually nothing here. Regardless, it seems they write up their "Precaution" list to protect themselves from all eventualities. That, or the anti-drinking zealots are on the hospital board.

[Big Boy]

I was never told of any restrictions apart from keeping the patch on for 24 hours.

Neither was I. On both occasions my wife was handed a piece of paper. Unfortunately, she actually read it this time .

The anti-drinking zealots are on the hospital board.

Many a true word spoken in jest.

[PeteC]

......which I put down to the fact it was done by a robot this time.

Good lord, I didn't know that. I do trust their medical prowess here much more than I trust their engineering and maintenance skills. ie., which highway will fall down today or train fail due to lack of maintenance. Who maintains and calibrates the robots! I think I would have opted out of that procedure and gone elsewhere.

[Big Boy]

I was quite impressed. especially when it was saying my name. I must say, I didn't consider calibration issues at the time It sort of took my mind off the op.