Cataract surgery is a common procedure that affects millions of people worldwide and is estimated to be performed in around 10 million surgeries each year. Eye drops are an essential part of postoperative care, and it is important to use them before and after cataract surgery to ensure that your eyes heal safely. There is no “perfect” eye drop regimen, so the exact eye drops used before and after surgery vary. However, the most common eye drops after cataract surgery are antibiotic eye drops, steroid eye drops, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops. Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) and gatifloxacin (Zymaxid) are the most commonly used antibiotic eye drops after cataract surgery.
Prednisolone (Pred-Forte) and loteprednol (Lotemax) are the most commonly prescribed steroid eye drops after cataract surgery. Artificial tears can provide comfort after cataract surgery, but preservatives can cause itchy eyes, which can be very uncomfortable after cataract surgery. NSAIDs may not be a good choice after cataract surgery because they cause the blood vessels in the eye to narrow. It is important to follow your eye doctor's recommendations for eye drops after cataract surgery to avoid complications that endanger your vision. Make sure your eye doctor gives you the go-ahead before using any over-the-counter eye drops, such as artificial tears.
Using prescription eye drops specifically treat the after-effects of cataract surgery and have a little more effect than their over-the-counter cousins. In a review of 5 studies involving more than 100,000 adults in total, the Cochrane group concluded that there is high-certainty evidence that suggests that this type of treatment with postoperative levofloxacin reduces the risk of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. It is important to remember that using the right type of eye drops after cataract surgery is essential for a successful recovery. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the best type of eye drops for your particular situation. Additionally, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions for using the eye drops correctly and for how long they should be used. If you have any questions or concerns about using eye drops after cataract surgery, it is best to speak with your doctor or ophthalmologist.
They will be able to provide you with more information about the types of eye drops available and which ones are best for you.
