Priya, a 68-year-old woman, is seen in the outpatient clinic following routine cataract surgery on her right eye two days ago. During the home-visit follow-up, she tells the nurse, 'I keep forgetting which drops go in which eye and when. Also, my husband throws away all my paperwork, so I just go by what I remember.' Her right eye has mild tearing, and she is wearing the prescribed eye shield. She asks whether she can bend down to pick things up off the floor. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to reinforce with Priya at this visit?
- Apply warm compresses to the operative eye twice daily to reduce tearing.
- Expect vision in the operative eye to be fully clear within 24 hours of surgery.
- Avoid bending at the waist; use a squatting position to pick up objects from the floor.
- Remove the eye shield at night once discharge from the eye has stopped.