Can I be alone after eye surgery?

It’s natural to wonder if you need someone with you in the hours and days after eye surgery. Most eye surgeries are outpatient procedures, meaning you go home the same day. Even though you won’t stay overnight at the surgery center or hospital, you may still need assistance beyond your surgery appointment. Whether you can be alone after eye surgery depends on several factors. These include:

Type of eye surgery
Your overall health

Risk of complications
Your surgeon’s recommendations
Availability of transportation

Assistance at home

In this article, we’ll go over general guidelines and considerations to help you plan for your recovery.

Table of Contents

Is it safe to be alone after eye surgery?

Most eye surgeries are considered safe outpatient procedures with rapid recovery times. Many people can manage their initial recovery alone as long as they follow their surgeon’s postoperative instructions. However, it’s generally recommended to have someone available to assist you, even if just for the first 24 hours.

Here are some reasons why having assistance after eye surgery is recommended:

You may experience blurred vision, double vision, eye pain or other visual effects after surgery. This can make tasks like walking around the house safely difficult.
You’ll likely be prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for several days or weeks after surgery. Having someone assist with properly administering eye medications reduces the risk of complications.

You may need help applying cold compresses to the eye area to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Your eye surgeon will likely recommend limiting activities like bending over, heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, etc. to avoid injuring your eyes after surgery. Daily tasks may be difficult to manage alone.
You may experience drowsiness after surgery due to anesthesia medication. It’s important to avoid potentially dangerous activities during this time, like driving, cooking, or using heavy machinery.

If you have an adverse reaction or complication after surgery, you may need to return promptly to your eye doctor’s office or the emergency room. Having someone available to transport you is crucial.

While not everyone will need hands-on help from a caregiver after eye surgery, most doctors recommend having someone check on you periodically for at least the first 24 hours. This person can assist with tasks like administering eye medications, changing any eye dressings, helping you get comfortable and making sure you are steadily recovering.

When can I be alone after cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and lowest risk eye surgeries done today. The procedure involves removing your cloudy natural lens that causes cataracts. It’s replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens implant to restore focusing ability.

Here are general guidelines for being alone after cataract surgery:

You should have an escort on the day of cataract surgery who can drive you home after you are discharged from the surgery center. This is usually within an hour or two after the procedure.
Most cataract surgeons recommend having someone stay with you or check on you occasionally for the first 24 hours after surgery. This helps ensure you’re recovering normally without vision issues or complications.

By 24 hours after cataract surgery, you may be fine on your own if you are having an uncomplicated recovery. However, arrange for someone to check on you periodically for the first 1-2 days.
Your eye surgeon will see you for a follow-up appointment within the first 1-2 days after cataract surgery. At this visit, they can better determine if you are recovered enough to be alone.
If you live alone or don’t have a caretaker available, consider arranging for a home health aide or nurse to check on you periodically as you recover from cataract surgery.

Be sure you understand all postoperative care instructions before leaving the surgery center, including medications, activity restrictions and signs of complications to watch for.

With an uncomplicated surgery and rapid recovery, many people feel well enough to be alone 24-48 hours after cataract surgery. But take precautions until your surgeon confirms you are healed enough at your follow-up visit.

When can I be alone after LASIK or PRK eye surgery?

LASIK and PRK are refractive eye surgeries that correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Recovery is usually rapid, but you will have some limitations initially after surgery.

Here are general guidelines for being alone after LASIK or PRK:

You will need an escort to drive you home after either procedure. Even though you can keep your eyes open during surgery, you will likely have blurry vision for several hours afterwards.
Your doctor may recommend having someone stay with you or check in on you the first night after LASIK or PRK. This helps ensure you’re taking medications properly and resting your eyes.

Most patients feel comfortable being alone the day after refractive surgery. But arrange for someone to check on you periodically for the first 2-3 days.
Your surgeon will want to examine your eyes the day after surgery to monitor healing. At this visit, they can advise if you are recovered enough to be alone.
Avoid rubbing or irritating your eyes for the first 3-7 days after surgery. Having assistance applying eye drops during this time is helpful.

Refrain from driving or other visually demanding activities for at least one week after LASIK or PRK, or until your surgeon confirms your vision is adequate for these tasks.

With close follow-up care and protection of your eyes as they heal, most patients can be alone 1-2 days after LASIK or PRK. But take it easy and get help from family or friends as needed the first week after surgery.

When can I be alone after retinal surgery?

Retinal surgery refers to various procedures done on the retina, which is the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Conditions like retinal detachments and retinal tears often require urgent surgery.

Here are general guidelines for being alone after retinal surgery:

Retinal surgery always requires an escort to transport you home after the procedure is complete.
You will likely need someone to stay with you or check on you frequently for the first 2-3 days after more involved retinal procedures like detachment repair.

Expect to limit activities for several weeks during recovery. This includes no heavy lifting, strenuous exercise or bending over which could harm your surgery site.
Your retinal surgeon will want to examine your eyes frequently after surgery to monitor for complications like bleeding or increased swelling.
You will need someone to drive you to these follow-up appointments until your surgeon clears you to drive. This may take 2 weeks or longer.

Post-op vision can be blurry or compromised for many weeks after retinal surgery. Take precautions around steps, driving, and other activities.

Due to the delicate nature of retinal surgery, doctors recommend having an around-the-clock caretaker for at least 1-2 days after surgery. Even once you are cleared to be alone, limit activities and get frequent eye exams for several weeks during recovery.

When can I be alone after eyelid surgery?

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure to remove excess skin, fat or muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Most patients can recover comfortably at home after eyelid surgery.

Here are general tips for being alone after eyelid surgery:

You will need someone to drive you home after eyelid surgery and stay with you for the first 4-6 hours to monitor for bleeding or swelling issues.
The first night after surgery, plan to have someone check on you periodically or stay with you to ensure proper comfort and safety.

By the day after surgery, most patients feel well enough to be alone if they are having an uncomplicated recovery.
Try to arrange for a friend or family member to check on you and bring you ice packs, drinks and meals as needed for 2-3 days after surgery.
Your surgeon will want to see you within 48 hours of eyelid surgery to check your progress. You will need an escort for this visit.

Refrain from getting your eyelid incisions wet for several days after surgery to allow proper healing.

With light activity and appropriate rest, many people feel comfortable recovering alone 1-2 days after eyelid surgery. But avoid physically demanding activities for 1-2 weeks while you continue to heal.

Tips for being alone after eye surgery

If you will need to recover alone for all or part of the time after your eye procedure, here are some tips:

Follow all discharge instructions – Be sure you understand how to care for your eyes at home, including any eye drop medicines, ointment, special eyewear, and activity restrictions.
Keep a list of emergency contacts – Program any eye doctor or surgery center phone numbers into your phone so you can reach them if concerned.
Have supplies on hand – Stock up on gauze pads, tissues, eyedrops and any other recommended supplies before your surgery date.

Prep easy meals – Make simple meals ahead of time that can be reheated while you recover, like frozen dinners or soups.
Limit eye strain – Avoid television, computer screens, smartphones, reading and small tasks requiring visual focus during the first few days.
Use aide devices as needed – Have things like large-handled utensils, gripper reachers, and furniture arranged for easy access without excessive bending or straining.

Ask for help – Don’t hesitate to contact nearby family or friends to pick up prescriptions, drive you to appointments or help with daily tasks while you get your stamina back.

The role of your eye surgeon

Your ophthalmologist or eye surgeon will provide guidance on whether you can be alone after surgery based on the specific procedure you had and your individual health factors. In general:

More complex surgeries usually require more recovery assistance than simple, brief procedures.

Surgeries with an increased risk of bleeding or infection may need closer monitoring.
Patients with underlying medical conditions may need extra supervision as they recover.
Your doctor will evaluate your vision before discharge and at follow-up visits to determine if you can safely perform daily tasks alone.

Don’t hesitate to ask during pre-operative consults what level of assistance your doctor recommends for post-surgery recovery.

Carefully follow all of your eye surgeon’s guidelines on medications, activity restrictions, follow-up visits and warning signs after surgery. Report any vision changes, worsening pain or concerning symptoms promptly. With close adherence to discharge instructions, you can maximize your safety and outcomes.

Conclusion

Whether you can be alone after eye surgery depends largely on the type of procedure, your overall health and your surgeon’s advice. While many eye operations are low risk, having some level of assistance is recommended for at least the first 1-2 days of recovery. For involved surgeries like retinal detachment repair or complex glaucoma procedures, around-the-clock supervision for several days is ideal. Discuss your specific postoperative needs with your ophthalmologist. With an optimized recovery plan, most people can get back to independent living soon after eye surgery.