Post Op Instructions
Medication Instructions
Antibiotic Eye Drops
(neomycin / polymyxin B / dexamethasone)
Use 3x daily for 10 days.
On the day of surgery, use one dose upon arriving home (or to hotel/airbnb) and another dose before bed.
Starting the day after surgery, continue 3x daily for 10 days.
Oral Antibiotics
(doxycycline)
Take the first dose 6 hours after discharge.
Starting the following day, take twice daily until the prescription is finished.
Nausea Medication
(ondansetron)
Take as needed for nausea
Over-the-counter medications to have at home
Extra Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen): Take as needed for pain. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose listed on the bottle.
Artificial tears: Use artificial tears as needed if your eyes feel dry or irritated
Avoid Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve) and Aspirin, as these can increase the risk of bleeding.
Recovery Timeline
Day 0 - Surgery Day
Expect swelling, bruising, and mild oozing or bleeding.
Use ice packs as much as possible while awake. We recommend 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.
Medications
Use prescription eye drops once upon arriving home and once before bed.
Take the first dose of oral antibiotics 6 hours after arriving home.
Take Extra Strength Tylenol as needed for pain.
Take ondansetron as needed for nausea
Keep your head elevated as much as possible. Sleeping with at least 2 pillows or in a recliner can help reduce swelling.
Note: It is normal for incision sites to ooze slightly during the first several hours after surgery. If bleeding increases:
Sit upright
Apply ice and gentle pressure for 30 minutes
If bleeding continues despite ice and pressure, call our urgent line at (919) 626-8793 and follow the prompts to reach Dr. Mettu
Days 1-2
Continue icing while awake for the full 48 hours after surgery
Continue prescription eye drops 3 times daily.
Continue oral antibiotic until the course is complete
Avoid bending, lifting, or strenuous activity.
Do not press, rub, or pull on the incision sites.
Keep your head elevated as much as possible.
You may drive once you feel comfortable and your vision is not blurry.
Days 3-10
After 48 hours, stop icing and begin warm compresses at least 4 times daily for 5 minutes to help bruising and swelling resolve.
The ice packs we provided may be microwaved.
Alternatively, you can use dry rice in a sock, microwaved for ~30 seconds.
Continue warm compresses until bruising and swelling resolves
It is not uncommon for swelling and bruising to worsen slightly before getting better. This is normal, and it should gradually resolve over time.
Continue prescription eye drops 3 times daily for 10 days
Continue oral antibiotic until the course is complete
If you take multivitamins or supplements, you can resume taking them after your first post op appointment
Avoid getting water in your eyes for 7-10 days after surgery. Use sterile eye wash or wipes to gently clean the eyes and around the eye area.
Day 11
You may resume exercise and normal activity level at 50% effort, gradually increasing as tolerated
Alcohol is permitted
Day 15
You may begin wearing light face makeup around the eye area (foundation, concealer, etc).
Continue to avoid eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner) until 1 month after surgery.
If you wear contact lenses, you may resume wearing them.
Week 3
You may resume swimming
Week 4
You may resume wearing eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner, eyelash extensions, etc.)
You may resume your normal skincare routine, including active ingredients.
Facial treatments, iIncluding laser, may be resumed.
Call us urgently if you experience any of the following:
Sudden or worsening pain not relieved by Extra Strength Tylenol
Rapidly increasing swelling, especially on one side
Vision changes (blurry vision that does not improve, double vision, or loss of vision)
Persistent bleeding that does not stop after 30 minutes of ice and pressure
Fever
Increasing redness, warmth, or drainage
*If you feel like you are having an emergency, please call 911.
