Cataract surgery — the most performed surgery in the world — has improved markedly. This surgery has a success rate of more than 97 percent. Still, you need to take good care of your eye or eyes after surgery. The first step is putting in eye drops to prevent infection and control eye pressure.

Your eye or eyes will react to the surgery in several ways. You may have a stinging sensation, an itching sensation, a gritty feeling (your eye feels like there is sand in it), sensitivity to sunlight and bright lights. A Mayo Clinic website article, “Cataract Surgery: What You Can Expect,” describes surgery and aftercare. Do not rub your eye or press on it, warns Mayo. You may have a discharge in the corners of your eyes. To remove the discharge wipe your eye gently with a warm wash cloth. Hold the cloth over your eye gently and do not make any pointing motions.

The Cataract Surgery website, in the article “Life After Cataracts: Cataract Surgery Recover Basics,” tells patients to take prescribed medicine exactly as the doctor recommended. You can take showers after cataract surgery, the site notes, but keep your eye closed. I had cataract surgery on both eyes and lens implanted in both eyes. When I showered I kept a dry towel close at hand in case I got water or soap in my eyes.

Though my recovery was normal, I had a problem with dry eyes. I have acne rosacea and dry, gritty eyes are a symptom of it. This dryness, combined with the natural itching after cataract surgery, was bothersome, so I used artificial tears several times a day. My eye doctor approved the use of artificial tears, but said I should never use the type that gets the red out.

I also had an odd experience after my second cataract surgery and lens implant. One day, when I was in a hurry, I yanked a t-shirt over my head. I did not know the neck of the t-shit had shrunk, and it scraped against my eyes as I pulled it over my head. Thankfully, my eyes were not hurt. Though I still wear the t-shirt, I stretch the neck a bit before putting it on.

Have you heard of defensive driving? Well, you need to practice defensive living after cataract surgery and a lens implant. Guard your eyes at all times. I found this out after my husband turned over in his sleep, swung his arm over, and barely missed my eye.

Before the surgery I wore prescription sunglasses. Now I do not need them and bought a pair of over-the-counter sunglasses for every day wear. However, I have prescription eye glasses for reading. You can help your eye doctor get the best outcome from cataract surgery and a lens implant by practicing defensive living, using artificial tears if approved, taking your prescribed medicine, and putting in eye drops on schedule.

Today, I have 20/20 in both eyes and the world is a colorful place again. “Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful,” Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “for beauty is God’s handwriting.” God’s handwriting has never looked more beautiful.

Eye care for teens is not merely treating the eye in case of any disease. It means taking regular and proper care of the eye. Most teens tend to ignore that their eye needs, not caring for them unless they suffer from an eye ailment. And such an attitude can cause a lot of harm to the eye.

For example, it is an established fact that teenagers are at higher risk from ultra violent radiation of the sun. The size of the pupils of children and teenagers are bigger as compared to those of adults. Hence, their exposure to light is comparatively higher.

Further, as compared to adults, teens spend more time in the sun. And sunglasses, if worn and even if coated with UV block, do not provide adequate protection. Hence, eye care for teens must be given top priority.

Recent surveys indicate that proper eye care for teens should not be ignored. In fact, more than three quarters exposure of our lifetime UV exposure is completed by the time we are 18 years old. Hence UV blocking glasses and contact lenses provide additional protection to teenagers.

Damage due to exposure to UV rays, if not treated, takes place over the long term only. Exposure to UV rays leads to serious complications like cataract. If you want to avoid such complications in the long term, take measures to protect your eyes today.

It has been seen that the teenagers treat contact lens more as a fashion accessory and less as protection for their eyes. While this is not bad per se, one must never sacrifice protection just to look stylish. Even if you are using contact lens to look stylish, you must maintain it properly. It must be cleaned, rinsed and stored in the proper manner. Ignoring these aspects will enhance the risk of infections.

Merely buying sunglasses or contact lenses is of no use if you omit to wear them when outdoors. The sunglasses and contact lenses protect you from UV Rays, Damage due to bright sunlight, Dust and other Air pollutants. Today, sunglasses are available in various designs, colors and sizes. Choose one that fits you best.

You must combine the use of sunglasses and other measures like:

• A proper, balance and nutritious diet. The diet must contain the required vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

• Regular physical exercise. Obesity will cause eye complications in the long run. Even other wise, staying fit is the best way to avoid all health complications.

• Regular eye check-up. Visit your doctor once in six months to detect problems early.

Always remember that prevention is better than cure.