Dr. Shingleton performs surgery for many patients using topical or light block anesthesia. These patients do not require an eye patch after surgery, but may have the eyelids taped closed for several hours to provide enhanced protection. Patients who are best suited for other types of anesthesia may require an eye patch for several hours. Occasionally patients require an eye patch until they are seen the next day.
All patients must be seen the day following surgery by Dr. Shingleton, one of his associates or your referring doctor. This must be incorporated into your schedule and transportation plans.
For patients seeing their referring doctor the day after surgery, your appointment will be made by Dr. Shingleton's surgical coordinator. Dr. Shingleton's team will update your doctor on the day of surgery after your operation is completed.
For all patients, future appointments, with Dr. Shingleton, his associates or your referring doctor, subsequent to your first post-operative visit will be coordinated by Dr. Shingleton's surgical coordinator.
Bring all medications, instruction sheets and supplies to every post-operative visit.
You should wear your protective shield at bedtime the first night post operatively. No eye pad should be used.
It is remarkable how well many of Dr. Shingleton's cataract surgery patients see immediately after surgery but this varies greatly based on the type of cataracts that were present. Swelling occurs with all surgeries an din the eye swelling develops in the cornea. This often results in blurry or "foggy" vision for several days after surgery. You will experience your best vision after cataract surgery ~4 weeks post-operatively. Glaucoma surgery patients need longer healing time before reaching maximum vision.
Many of Dr. Shingleton's patients see very well and function well without glasses. However, all patients must be prepared to wear glasses at certain times for optimal vision. This applies to patients who receive multifocal, accommodative, astigmatism correcting or monofocal intraocular lens implants. Visual needs vary greatly among patients. As a result, Dr. Shingleton personalizes your surgery and strives for the best surgical result to meet your needs and requirements.
Dr. Shingleton has a great deal of experience with many types of lens implants and uses multifocal implants in patients well suited for them. For the right patient, multifocal lenses can be a success. However, there are limitations to their use and potential visual "trade-offs" that must be appreciated by anyone receiving multifocal lenses. Dr. Shingleton's results with the newest FDA-approved multifocal intraocular lenses are excellent. Dr. Shingleton will review the pros and cons of multifocal lenses with you, if you are a suitable candidate. Do not hesitate to ask Dr. Shingleton or any member of his staff about multifocal lenses and their applicability to your situation.
Dr. Shingleton was one of the earliest ophthalmologists in the United States to be trained in the implantation of accommodating intraocular lenses. As with multifocal lenses, their applicability is limited, but may represent a unique opportunity for certain patients. The Crystalens is the only FDA-approved accommodating implant. Dr. Shingleton was the first surgeon in Boston to be certified to implant it. Do not hesitate to ask Dr. Shingleton about the potential for the Crystalens accommodating implant in your situation.
This varies among patients. We recommend that patients devote the operative and first postoperative day to their eye and it's care. Many patients return to work the second day after surgery. Please ask Dr. Shingleton or his associate on the day following your surgery for recommendations.
Most patients can return to 90% of activity the day after surgery. Of utmost importance is to avoid physical trauma to the eye.
You may bend, stoop, lift, tie your shoe, shop, carry grocery bags, cook and travel in cars, planes or trains. For 2 weeks, exercise should be limited to low-impact activities such as treadmills, exercise bikes and golf. No weight lifting, push-ups, sit-ups or swimming is permitted for 2 weeks.
You may shower and wash your hair the day following your surgery. Simply hold a dry wash cloth over the operated eye to prevent water from contacting the eye.
No eyeliner or mascara should be used for 1 week following surgery. Other facial make-up is acceptable.
Assuming vision is acceptable in your fellow eye, you may drive the day following surgery.
All patients should remain in the New England area for 1 week and the United States/Canada for 1 month after surgery. No foreign travel is permitted for one month.
If you have further questions, please call Dr. Shingleton's Boston office at 617-314-2612. After 4:30 P.M. and on weekends, please call 617-367-4800 and ask to have the doctor-on-call paged.
