What to do if there is bleeding after cataract surgery

Nov 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Wang Lei

Introduction

In case of bleeding after cataract surgery, immediately stop all activities, maintain eye cleanliness, avoid pressing on the eyeball, minimize head movement, and promptly contact your attending physician. Proper management can reduce risks and prevent worsening of the condition. If there is substantial bleeding, severe eye pain, or sudden vision loss, seek immediate medical attention. Stop all activities immediately and rest in a semi-reclining or sitting position.

In the event of bleeding after cataract surgery, it is essential to immediately stop all activities, maintain eye cleanliness, avoid pressing on the eyeball, minimize head movement, and promptly contact the treating physician. Proper management can reduce risks and prevent worsening of the condition. If there is significant bleeding, severe eye pain, or sudden vision loss, immediate medical attention is recommended.

1. Stop all activities: Immediately cease any physical activity and rest in a semi-reclining or sitting position. Avoid bending over or lowering the head, as these actions increase intraocular pressure and may exacerbate bleeding.

2. Keep the eye clean: Do not rub or wipe the eye with your hands. Avoid allowing dirty water or foreign objects to enter the eye. If there are secretions, gently clean the corner of the eye with a sterile cotton swab to maintain hygiene.

3. Avoid pressing on the eyeball: Never press or rub the operated eye, as this directly increases intraocular pressure and may cause the bleeding to spread, worsening ocular damage.

4. Minimize head movement: Keep the head stable and avoid rapid turning or shaking of the head to reduce traction on ocular tissues and prevent further tearing at the site of bleeding.

5. Contact the treating physician promptly: Inform the surgeon about the bleeding as soon as possible, including details such as the amount, color, and whether it is accompanied by eye pain. Follow the doctor’s instructions for follow-up visits or emergency care.

After surgery, strictly adhere to medical advice regarding medication, avoid strenuous exercise and heavy physical labor, maintain regular bowel movements to prevent constipation-induced elevation of intraocular pressure, eat a light diet avoiding spicy and irritating foods, and attend regular check-ups to monitor eye recovery.

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What eye drops are commonly used after cataract surgery?

In general, eye drops are required after cataract surgery to prevent infection, control inflammation, and promote recovery. Common needs include antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatments. Patients may use medications such as levofloxacin ophthalmic solution, tobramycin-dexamethasone ophthalmic solution, pranoprofen ophthalmic solution, sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution, and cyclosporine ophthalmic solution, as prescribed by their doctor. A detailed analysis is as follows:

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What are the nursing diagnoses for cataracts?

Nursing diagnoses for cataracts generally include altered sensory perception (decreased vision), risk for injury, anxiety, knowledge deficit, and potential complications (postoperative infection). Altered sensory perception (decreased vision): due to lens opacity causing abnormal light refraction, patients experience progressive vision loss, manifesting as blurred vision and double vision, which affects daily activities such as reading and walking.

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What is the name of cataract in traditional Chinese medicine?

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), cataracts are known as "yuanyi neizhang," an eye disorder characterized primarily by lens opacity and progressive vision loss. TCM attributes the condition to aging, physical weakness, and disharmony of internal organs. If symptoms such as sudden vision decline, eye pain, or visual distortion occur, prompt medical evaluation is recommended. The underlying pathological mechanism in TCM is deficiency of the liver and kidneys, accompanied by insufficient qi and blood.