Eyelid, Lacrimal, or Orbital Surgery
Before Surgery
1. Do not take any aspirin for one week before surgery. Ibuprofen, naproxen, Motrin®, Nuprin®, Aleve® and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be stopped for one week before surgery. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding at the time of surgery.
2. Arrange to have someone drive you to and from the hospital.
3. If you have any questions, please call your doctor.
4. Read and follow all instructions carefully.
After Surgery
Activity
- You must rest quietly for 24 to 48 hours. Too much activity may cause bleeding. Be sure to avoid bending, lifting, or straining for one week. You can then slowly increase your activity. Do not begin intense exercise for at least two weeks.
- For the first 48 hours, do not drive a car or engage in activities that depend on your coordination. Medicines and anesthetic agents may affect your judgment and ability to stay alert.
- You may shower and shampoo in 48 hours.
Diet
Start with clear liquids. Add more food to your diet as you feel ready. Hot drinks should be avoided for 48 hours after tear duct surgery.
Swelling
1. Swelling should be expected. To help make the swelling less, use cold, wet compresses. Use compresses as often as possible the first 2 days.
To make a cold compress, place a tray of ice cubes into a bowl and add a quart of water. Soak a washcloth in the ice water, wring about half of the water out, fold washcloth in half, and gently place it on your eyelids. Repeat the process when the washcloth becomes warm.
2. Sleep with 2-3 pillows under your head. Keep your head up to help to reduce the swelling.
Bleeding
You can expect a small amount of bleeding. In most cases the bleeding will be less by using cold, wet compresses. Keeping your head up with extra pillows when you lie down also reduces bleeding. Call your doctor if bleeding increases.
Discoloration
Bruising or a change in the color of the skin, will take 2 to 3 weeks to clear. Using cold compresses for the first 36 to 48 hours will help to reduce it. After 48 hours, you may use warm compresses to make the bruising less.
Discomfort
If you have pain, take Tylenol® as instructed on the package. If needed, a stronger medicine will be prescribed for you. This, along with the cold compresses, should keep you comfortable. Call your doctor if the pain is not relieved by medicines.
Medicines
You will be asked to use ointment on the stitches two to three times a day for at least one to two weeks. The ointment may be put on with a Q-TipÒor with your finger after your hands are washed. Continue your regular medicines and eye drops, unless told to do otherwise.
Stitches
Your stitches may absorb on their own. To absorb, they must be kept moist with ointment. Non-absorbable stitches will be removed in the clinic in 1-2 weeks.
Dr. Lucarelli or Dr. Burkat’s patients:
Be sure to contact your doctor if you have any questions. If you have painful swelling around the eye, call right away.
During the day, if you see Dr. Lucarelli or Dr. Burkat at the Universityof Wisconsin Hospitalsand Clinics, call (608) 263-7171. The clinic will locate Dr. Lucarelli, Dr. Burkat or the resident for you.
After 4:30 pm, weekends, and holidays, this number will be answered by the paging operator. Ask for the eye resident on-call. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back shortly. Dr. Lucarelli, Dr. Burkat, or the staff doctor on call can always be reached through the resident on call.
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6528.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 07/12/2011
Copyright © 07/12/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4203
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