After surgery

In most cases, Preserflo MicroShunt surgery is done as a day case, and you can leave hospital once you have recovered enough.

A patch and shield will be placed over your eye before you leave hospital. This can usually be removed the next morning. If you have reduced vision in your other eye, a clear shield may be used instead.

Symptoms after surgery

Your eye will probably feel uncomfortable for the first few weeks. You can take regular painkillers, such as paracetamol, as needed. Always follow the instructions on the packet. 

It's normal for your eye to be a little red and swollen, and feel a little uncomfortable, gritty or light-sensitive. Although uncomfortable, these symptoms are not serious, and will get better over the first few weeks.

You must avoid rubbing your eye at any point as this could cause problems in the eye which could lead to serious complications.

You may also notice:

• blurred vision, which should improve gradually over a few weeks
• a small blister under the upper eyelid, which is a normal result of the surgery and nothing to worry about
• a sticky eye in the mornings

You can gently clean your eyelids with cooled, boiled water. Always wash your hands before and after cleaning your eye. Your doctor can give you further advice if needed.

It is also common for the upper eyelid to appear slightly droopy after surgery, sometimes making the eye look more closed. This often improves over time. If eyelid drooping affects your vision, a surgical procedure can be done to improve the position of the upper eyelid. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointments.

Changes to your medicines

Eye drops 

After surgery, the inside of the eye is often inflamed. 

You will be given: 

• anti-inflammatory eye drops (usually dexamethasone) to reduce inflammation
• antibiotic eye drops (usually chloramphenicol) to help prevent infection

Your doctor will give you clear instructions on how and when to use these drops. Please only use the eye drops you have been prescribed and continue them exactly as advised.

Always wash your hands before using any eye drops.

Glaucoma drops 

You will usually be asked to stop using glaucoma eye drops in the operated eye after surgery. If you are unsure what to do, please check with one of the healthcare professionals caring for you.

If you use glaucoma drops in the eye that has not been operated on, continue using them unless you are clearly told otherwise.

Acetazolamide tablets

If you were taking acetazolamide tablets to control eye pressure before surgery, these are usually stopped immediately after the procedure. 

Resuming your normal activities

It is important that you rest in the first 2 days after surgery. During this time avoid any heavy lifting and operating heavy machinery. 

For 2 weeks after surgery, avoid:

• avoid stooping or bending 
• any strenuous activity

You should also avoid swimming and contact sports. It is safe to have a bath or shower, and to watch TV or read as normal.

Do not change your glasses for at least 6 weeks after surgery as your vision may change over this time.

Driving 

It may be best not to drive during the first week after surgery, until your vision in the operated eye begins to improve.

You must meet the legal vision and visual field standards for driving. Depending on your level of glaucoma before surgery and how your vision settles afterwards, your doctor will advise you about when it is safe to drive. If you were legal to drive before surgery and your vision recovers as expected, most people are able to drive again.

More information about eye conditions and driving can be found on the GOV.UK website. 

Going back to work

If you are working, you may need to take around 1 to 2 weeks off. This will depend on the type of work you do and the level of vision in your other eye.

You may need more time off if your job involves heavy manual work or dusty environments.

Follow-up appointments

You will be given a follow-up appointment in the eye clinic outpatient department within a few days of your surgery. This is so we can make sure your eye is recovering.

It is important to attend all planned follow‑up appointments. In the early weeks after surgery, you will need to be seen fairly often so we can:

• monitor your eye pressure
• check how the surgery is working
• adjust eye drops or medicines if needed

Please bring all your eye drops and tablets to each appointment. If you are unsure which drops to use, ask the doctor or nurse.

You may need more frequent visits than usual for the first few months, as eye pressure can change during healing. Your doctor will advise how often you need to be seen, as this varies from person to person.