What care should a patient receive after photocoagulation therapy on a detached retina?

Patients who have had photocoagulation therapy for retinal detachment are asked to have a friend or family member drive them home after the procedure. The reason for this precaution is that the eye medication used to dilate the pupil of the patient's eye will make it difficult for them to see to drive and can cause uncomfortable photosensitivity, requiring dark glasses.

Once home, the patient should rest. They will have instructions to resume their regular medicines, except eye drops in the eye that had the photocoagulation. They can eat, but the meal should be kept light. Pain relievers may be required. After surgery an eye patch will have been applied to the affected eye. This should be worn until the physician takes it off at the follow up appointment, usually the next day. There will need to be care of the patch to keep it clean and dry, the instructions will be provided by your doctor or his staff. You may be prescribed eye drops that you will be instructed to use. The shield over the eye patch must be worn at night during sleep and may be required during the day as well. Some doctors will allow the patch off during the day if glasses are worn to prevent injury while the patch and shield are off.