You’ve had the Raindrop Inlay procedure, and you’re on the path toward clearer near vision – congratulations! But now what? The following maps out what to expect as your eyes heal and what you need to do to help this process along. Keep in mind, all eye drops should be administered in the Raindrop Inlay eye only.
Immediately Following Your Raindrop Procedure
YOUR DUTIES
- Take a nap – this encourages comfort and healing
- Wear a protective eye shield while sleeping
- Attend your appointment the next day. Remember to ask any questions you may have.
- Take your eye drops as prescribed, including artificial tears
Though home care is necessary after surgery, one of the most life-changing aspects of the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay is that you are free to resume normal activities the very next day!
However, you should avoid rubbing your eyes, playing sports, wearing makeup, exercising, smoking, swimming, gardening, and being in dusty environments for at least one week after your procedure. You should check with your doctor to determine when you can resume all of these activities during your 1 week follow-up appointment.
Week 1 Post-Raindrop
YOUR DUTIES
- Attend your Week 1 appointment
- Wear a protective eye shield while sleeping
- Take your eye drops as prescribed, including artificial tears
YOUR VISION
- Near vision will be very close, so move items closer and further away to find that sweet spot to see up close
- Distance vision in the Raindrop Inlay eye will be poor, but your other eye will compensate for better distance vision
- Your eyes will work together binocularly for your overall vision
YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
- Watery eyes
- Scratchy or irritated feeling
- Desire to rub your eyes – don’t! Instead, use artificial tears to help the feeling subside
- Sensitivity to light
- Fluctuation of vision
- May notice halos or glare around lights at night, but that should reduce over time
Week 2 Post-Raindrop
YOUR DUTIES
- Wear a protective eye shield while sleeping
- Take your eye drops as prescribed, including artificial tears
YOUR VISION
- Near vision will be at a more comfortable distance, though you may still need to move objects in and out to find that aforementioned sweet spot
- May need to add a light to help when reading small print and/or use reading glasses for certain tasks, while your Raindrop eye is still healing
- Distance vision in the Raindrop Inlay eye should improve from 1 week, but initially not like it was prior to the procedure
- Be patient – your eye is still healing
YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
- Scratchy/Irritated feeling if your eyes are dry
- Continued feeling to rub your eyes– still don’t! Use artificial tears to help the feeling subside
- Fluctuation of vision, especially in the morning – use artificial tears in the morning or a gel/ointment at night before your go to bed (if prescribed by your physician)
- May notice halos or glare around lights at night, but that should reduce over time
Week 3 Post-Raindrop
Week 4 Post-Raindrop
YOUR DUTIES
- Attend your Week 4 appointment
Month 2 Post-Raindrop
YOUR DUTIES
- Take your drops prescribed, including artificial tears
YOUR VISION
- Near vision should be at a comfortable distance
- Intermediate vision should be improved
- May need to adjust computer monitors either closer or further away to optimize the intermediate vision at work
- Distance vision in the Raindrop Inlay eye will be much better, but dry eye can create visual symptoms, such as fluctuations in vision, which is especially noticeable at distance. Use artificial tears often.
YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
- Fluctuation of vision, especially in the morning – use artificial tears in the morning or a gel/ointment at night before your go to bed (if prescribed by your physician)
- May notice halos or glare around lights at night, but that should reduce over time
Month 3 Post-Raindrop
YOUR DUTIES
- Attend your Three Month appointment – Ask any questions you may have
- Continue to take artificial tears as needed
YOUR VISION
- Near and intermediate vision should be improved and most daily tasks can be accomplished without the need for reading glasses
- Distance vision is close to how it was prior to surgery. Fluctuations may still be present, if dry eye is not treated. Use artificial tears often.
YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
- Fluctuation of vision, especially in the morning
- Continue to use artificial tears in the morning or a gel/ointment at night before you go to bed (if prescribed by your physician)
What to Expect Six Months & Beyond After Raindrop
YOUR DUTIES
- Attend your Six Month appointment – Ask any questions you may have
- Continue to take artificial tears as needed
YOUR VISION
- Refractive Stability is reached and your near, intermediate, and distance vision is comfortable and you are able to do most tasks without the need for reading glasses
YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
- Fluctuation of vision, especially in the morning
- Use artificial tears in the morning or a gel/ointment at night before your go to bed (if prescribed by your physician)