Do you feel like there is foreign material in your eye? Do you have a gritty sensation in one or both eyes? Are you experiencing such symptoms, as itchiness, irritation, blurred vision, dryness, or redness? If so, you may have a pterygium and benefit from pterygium removal at Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS. Take a closer look at this procedure, including how long the recovery takes.
How Long Does It Take To Recover After Pterygium Removal?
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to recover after pterygium removal. Several factors affect how long your recovery will take, including the technique used to perform the removal and how well you care for yourself after your procedure. One of the most important things you must do following your procedure is to keep your eyes hydrated. If your eyes feel dry, moisten them with artificial tears.
It is also very important to protect your eyes from dry, dusty conditions. If you find yourself in such conditions, you should wear sufficient eye protection. Also, it is of the utmost importance that you protect your eyes from the sun while you are healing from your procedure. Therefore, when you are exposed to sunlight, you should wear wraparound sunglasses that protect your eyes fully from both UVA and UVB rays.
An Additional Note
You may only need to take a week or two off from work while you are recovering from your Pterygium Removal procedure. However, your physical activities will be restricted for a lot longer than two weeks. For instance, you may not perform vigorous physical activity for roughly six weeks following your pterygium removal.
If you feel like yourself a few weeks into your recovery period, let Dr. Patel know. She can evaluate your recovery progress and determine whether you can resume vigorous activities.
What Can I Do To Speed Up My Recovery Process?
Rest Your Eyes
One of the best things you can do to speed up your recovery process is to rest your eyes as much as possible. Specifically, it is ideal to keep yourself entertained with activities that do not strain your eyes. For example, it is better to put together a puzzle or LEGO set than play a video game or mobile game because the screen-based games expose your eyes to blue light.
Also, it is better to listen to an audiobook or read a book printed on paper than read a book on an e-reader. Note, it is important to rest your eyes whenever they start to feel too tired. For instance, if you are watching a movie and your eyelids start to feel heavy, close your eyes. There will be plenty of time to finish the movie later.
Rest Your Body
It is also very important that the rest of your body is well-rested. It is important to get as much moderate physical activity as you can during your recovery period. This is because moderate physical activity supports a strong circulatory system, and your circulatory system supports your recovery because it is responsible for delivering essential, healing nutrients.
However, it is also incredibly important that you do not push yourself too hard in the early stages of your recovery period. If you feel particularly tired at any point during your recovery, whether you are walking or not, you should take a nap.
How Much You Should Walk During Your Recovery Period
You should walk at a moderate pace for as long as you feel comfortable walking. If you feel too tired to walk, don’t push yourself too hard. You can support your circulatory system by getting up and doing some brief calisthenics or going on a very short walk around your building. The most important thing is that you are not sedentary for over an hour at a time unless you are sleeping.
Note, just as it is important to get regular moderate physical activity, it is very important to not participate in vigorous physical activity. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, any physical activity is considered vigorous if it increases your heart rate to 77 to 93% of your maximum heart rate. To calculate your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220.
Get Plenty of Sleep
You also need to get plenty of sleep if you want your recovery period to go by as quickly as possible. Most of the healing that your body does occurs while you are in the deepest stage of the sleep cycle, the REM (rapid eye movement) stage. Therefore, you should make a point to sleep for at least 7.5 to nine hours nightly. This will ensure you get at least five or six complete sleep cycles nightly.
Be advised, every time you wake up, you will start over from the first stage of the sleep cycle. Put another way, if you wake up in the middle of the REM stage, you will have to get through all of the other stages of sleep to return to the REM stage and benefit as much as possible from your sleep. Also, you should keep in mind that you must sleep on your back with your head elevated as your eyes are healing.
Drink Plenty of Water
Also, it is crucial that you drink plenty of water if you want your recovery period to end as soon as it can. If you’re dehydrated, your eyes can’t heal themselves as efficiently as they should be able to. To stay hydrated, it is recommended that you drink at least half a gallon of hydrating fluids daily during your recovery period. If you find this to be too challenging, there are a couple of things you can try to remain hydrated.
One way you can ensure you drink enough hydrating fluids is to download an app on your phone to remind you to drink periodically. If you don’t want to download an app, you can set eight alarms on your phone every day with notes telling you to drink at least eight ounces of hydrating fluids. If, despite reminding yourself to drink regularly, you are struggling, eat more foods with high water content.
An Additional Note
Try increasing your sodium intake a little if you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. It is very important that you sleep as soundly as possible each night.
Eat Nutritiously
It is essential that you nourish your body in the weeks following your procedure. Specifically, you want to make sure you’re getting your RDA (recommended daily allowance) of micronutrients and consuming enough protein. If you find your appetite lacking following your procedure, make consuming protein your top priority. You don’t have to cook yourself a multi-course meal, but you should at least drink a protein shake or eat a protein bar.
If you’re not interested in consuming highly processed products, like a meal replacement shake or protein bar, make yourself a protein-packed smoothie. You can include any fruits and veggies you want in your smoothie, but you will benefit the most if you use Greek yogurt or Icelandic yogurt base rather than a traditional yogurt or ice cream base.
Other Things You Should Consider Eating During Your Recovery Period
While you can add whatever you want to add to your smoothie, we recommend adding peanut butter or a little protein powder if you’re struggling to get enough protein in your diet. Also, it is highly advisable to add plenty of produce that is high in water. For example, you will benefit greatly from adding spinach, kale, mangoes, or oranges to your smoothies if you are struggling to drink enough water, tea, and coffee.
Note, whether you drink green smoothies during your recovery period or not, it is a good idea to incorporate kale and spinach into your post-op recovery diet. Both kale and spinach are high in protein, fiber, and vitamin C. Fiber are particularly important for a smooth, comfortable recovery if you take certain analgesics. Vitamin C and protein are essential for rapid healing. Also, you should know that broccoli and Brussels sprouts are also great to eat.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Depending on the technique used to perform your procedure and how well you care for yourself post-op, your pterygium removal recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. To find out whether this procedure is right for you, contact us today at Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Patel.
I Can See Clearly Now
by Don Burrows
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel saved my wife’s vision and mine too. I now live 770 miles from her office and would still make the trip, even if it required a cross-country trip.
I highly recommend Dr. Patel
by Jim Guhl
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel is a physician whose sincere goal is to improve the quality of life for her patients. When I first became a patient under Dr. Patel’s care, I was diagnosed with cataracts in both of my eyes; dry eye syndrome; and astigmatism. Previous records from my Lasik surgery, which occurred 17 years ago, were no longer available. The Lasik surgery documentation was important in determining the exact corrections that now needed to be made to properly correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel wisely recommended I postpone the cataract removal and astigmatism correction procedure, until she received newly developed diagnostic equipment. This newly developed technology would provide her with the most accurate metrics possible. New specialized lens implants were also becoming available, which would correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel explained my chances for a successful outcome would be significantly increased if I would be patient and wait a little longer. Dr. Patel is truly a physician with high integrity and would never perform surgery until she knew it was the right time. She truly cares about providing her patients with the best care she can. Dr. Patel successfully treated my dry eye symptoms with a regiment of eye drops, cleansing techniques and vitamins, which prevented me from requiring more extensive - and more expensive treatment. Prior to the surgery on my right eye, she provided me with sample eye drops from her office and coupons for the eye drops I would need to purchase after my surgery. She did all she could to reduce my expenses. During preparations for right eye surgery, Dr. Patel spent quality time with me explaining the results of my pre-surgery testing and asking questions to determine my vision goals. One of my desires was to once again see the front sight on a pistol. I thoroughly enjoyed going to the firing range, but due to the cataract in my right eye I could no longer see the sights, on my pistol. Although the cataract in my left eye was not as bad yet – I was also experiencing difficulty seeing and firing left handed. Using a blue gun (authentic plastic replica of a Sig P229 pistol), Dr. Patel took additional measurements which she used in determining the correct lens to implant, during my surgery. My right eye surgery took place on November 1, 2017. Two days after the surgery, I happened to glance at my mobile phone and for the first time in 10 years or more, I could read the information on the screen without glasses. I pulled the Sig out of its case and – wow! – The sight picture was there clear as a bell. So the right eye cataract is gone along with the rainbow halos around cars at night and the astigmatism has been corrected better than I dreamed possible. Quality of life restored! The process included the latest diagnostic equipment; the newest technology in an intraocular lens implant; and the use of a laser surgery technique performed by Dr. Patel. Sadly, insurance does not cover much of the cost for the process that produces the optimal results. When it comes to the long term correction of your vision and significant increase in the quality of life it is well worth the investment. Dr. Patel is a very accomplished and highly competent physician and surgeon. I will be forever grateful to her for restoring my vision. I highly recommend Dr. Patel. Jim Guhl Wichita, KS November 13, 2017
In Good Hands
by Luke F.
Category: lasik surgeryTalk about a life changing surgery!!! From the consultation to the surgery I knew I was in good hands. I would recommend WVI to anyone who is considering LASIK. Thanks WVI!
Life Changing!
by Ashley J.
Category: lasik surgeryI love Dr. Patel! After having my dreams crushed at another place when they told me I wasn't a candidate, I went to Dr Patel for a lasik consultation. She is very thorough and gave me information about my eyes that no doctor in almost 20 years has told me. A week ago I had Lasik and it has been life changing! I couldn't be happier and I'm so glad I chose Dr Patel. She truly cares about her patients and her passion shows. The wait time can be very long, but if you are prepared for that ahead of time, you won't be disappointed once you see the doctor. I'm recommending WVI to everyone I know. She is now the only doctor I trust for my eyes.
Impressed with Dr. Patel and Staff
by William D.
Category: cataract surgeryI first saw Dr. Patel about 6 years ago when my left eye wandered to the left side and stayed there. She sent me to the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City for further evaluation. No reason was ever found as to why it did that but it corrected itself after about two months. Since then I have been seeing Dr. Patel regularly. I damaged the left eye in an accident and had to have a vitrectomy performed. She referred me to another specialist Dr. Paul Weishaar and that outcome was also great. The eye did develop a cataract and she performed that surgery a few months ago and suggested a plan for treating dry eyes. It was outstanding and since wearing glasses for over 50 years, I now just wear sunglasses. Simply amazing. Dr. Patel and her staff are the greatest and they know other great professionals if the need arises. They also do charity work and they are all a total blessing to me. I would not even consider going anywhere else. Just gotta love them.
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