Post surgery care and restrictions
There's a bunch of post surgery care and restrictions that I have to follow to ensure the best care for the corneal graft.
Caring for my graft
I put in Maxidex and Chlorisig eye drops three times a day to help stop infection and to assist the graft. Before I put the eye drops in I clean my eye with a sterile guaze pad and saline solution.
I also have to wear a plastic eye patch that has holes in it when I sleep so that I don't accidentally touch or rub my eye, apparently this will be in place for months. I also have to wear the patch when showering for the first two weeks so that my eye doesn't get wet. See picture.
Eating well is very important, good nutritious food will help support the graft.
Sunlight and bright light sting so I wear my sunglasses when I'm outside or carry my patch around so that I can put it on if my eye is straining.
I'm pretty tired still and resting is important in the healing process.
Restrictions
These restrictions are in place for the first month and are then reviewed.
The hospital wrote a medical certificate for my yoga and gym as I'm not allowed to do those activities for at least one month.
No jogging or rigerous/bouncy movement of the head.
No sex, unless it's slow and intimate.
No lifting more than 6 kgs, this includes shopping bags, so I've been getting my shopping delivered.
I also took it to mean no dancing in case somene accidentally knocked my eye.
No straining or lifting anything that puts pressure on your eye.
It's interesting, I asked my Sydney specialist how will I know when I can or can't do something... his response was 'you will know'. And he's right, even when I have a full kettle and I lift that I can feel the pressure build up in my eye. When I go for walks and try and walk a little faster I can feel the pressure build up in my eye as well, who would have thought that all the little things we do impact on our eyes?
I am at peace with what is.
Miss Nat xoxo