For children going home after having eye surgery as a day procedure. 

Eating and drinking

• After the anaesthetic, your child can start eating a light diet such as sandwiches, pasta, soup or jelly. Avoid fatty or junk food.
• For babies: breastfeed or give formula feeds as usual.

Nausea and vomiting

• Do not worry if your child feels sick or vomits once or twice after leaving hospital.
• If they vomit or feel sick, stop giving food for about one hour. Then try a light diet if your child can manage it without feeling ill.
• If your child keeps vomiting, please call your child's surgeon (number at the end of this page) or your nearest hospital emergency department.

Wound care

• A small amount of discharge from the eye is common for a few days.
• You can clean this with saline water (sterile salt water) or with clean water and a clean face washer or cloth.
• The eyes may look red for about two to four weeks.
• Sunglasses may help if your child is feeling sensitive to light.
• Remember to use eye medication as directed if it is prescribed.
• Your child's tears may be blood-stained red for the first few days. Don't be alarmed by this as it is quite normal.

Activity

• Your child can return to their normal activity when they're ready.

For squint surgery:

• Your child needs to rest at home for two to three days. They can return to their normal activities slowly.
• Your child should not take part in any contact or competitive team sports for at least one week after the operation.
• Your child should not go swimming for two weeks.

Pain relief

• Paracetamol can be given at home every four to six hours for one to two days if needed. Read the packaging for the correct dose for your child according to their age. Ask for help if you are unsure.Do not give any medicine with paracetamol in it more than four times in 24 hours.
• For more severe pain call your child's surgeon or see your family doctor.

Follow-up

• Please arrange a follow-up appointment as discussed with your child's surgeon. Otherwise, an outpatient appointment notice will be posted to you in the week after your child's operation.
• Contact your child's eye surgeon if you have any questions or concerns about their care at home. See contact details below.

Contact details

• The name of your child's eye surgeon is:
  
  
  _____________________________________________________________
  
• The Royal Children's Hospital
  T: (03) 9345 5522 (24hrs)
  Ask switchboard to page the on-call opthalmology registrar if you are concerned about your child.
  
  
• Surgery Centre
  Monday to Friday 7:00am - 7:00pm
  T: (03) 9345 6570

Call an ambulance (000) immediately in an emergency.

Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Ophthalmology and Paediatric and Neonatal Surgery department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

Reviewed January 2023

This information is awaiting routine review. Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.