A client is postoperative following scleral buckling to repair a detached retina. Which activity should be avoided for 1 week to prevent detachment?

A client is postoperative following scleral buckling to repair a detached retina. Which activity should be avoided for 1 week to prevent detachment?

• A. Reading for 3 days
• B. Reading for 1 week
• C. Avoid reading for 3 days
• D. Avoid reading for 1 week

Answer: (D)

After scleral buckling, the retina is in a delicate healing phase and is sensitive to changes in pressure and eye movement. Reading for extended periods requires sustained focusing and can cause eye strain and small fluctuations in intraocular pressure, which may put stress on the repaired retina and risk detachment. Limiting activity that strains the eye during the first week helps protect the surgical site while healing occurs. Therefore, avoiding reading for a full week provides the safest protection in the immediate postoperative period. Shorter restrictions or allowing reading during that week do not offer the same level of protection during this critical healing window.

After scleral buckling, the retina is in a delicate healing phase and is sensitive to changes in pressure and eye movement. Reading for extended periods requires sustained focusing and can cause eye strain and small fluctuations in intraocular pressure, which may put stress on the repaired retina and risk detachment. Limiting activity that strains the eye during the first week helps protect the surgical site while healing occurs. Therefore, avoiding reading for a full week provides the safest protection in the immediate postoperative period. Shorter restrictions or allowing reading during that week do not offer the same level of protection during this critical healing window.