Time off work after graft

[craigthornton]

Got a date for my graft - 20th December - Happy Christmas!
Are there any office workers here who have had a graft? How long were you signed off work for post-op?
Some information I found on the web seems to suggest 2 weeks for a desk job? From reading how you are after the op I think I would find that a bit too soon, especially as I have to look at a monitor for 7hrs.
Also, how many days do you stay in hospital after the op?

[GarethB]

Hi Craig,

Firstly most people are only in hospital for just one night.

Time off work is really down to if you and the surgeon feel you are well enough to return. The first week is self certified, but after that the surgeon can sign you off as they feel fit.

Regarding looking at a computer monitor for 7 hours for any level of vision is a no no. Although not written in law the HSE guidelines are that regular short breaks should be taken. This is not just to rest the eyes but to help reduce posture related limb and back problems. Every half hour I leave the pc and stretch my legs, collect somthing from the printer, drink, post stuff, just little things.

Hope this helps.

[Anne Klepacz]

Craig - I had 3 wks off work after each graft. But as Gareth says, it is an individual thing. People vary on how much time they need. Another possibility is to go back on reduced hours initially which might make it easier. All the best for 20th!
Anne

[craigthornton]

Craig - I had 3 wks off work after each graft. But as Gareth says, it is an individual thing. People vary on how much time they need. Another possibility is to go back on reduced hours initially which might make it easier. All the best for 20th!
Anne

I thought about that. Even though I work for a small business, my boss is very flexible. Like he said, it is a fairly major thing and you don't want to be going back too early and ruining things.

[piper]

Craig....My graft was on a thursday, rather far from home so I stayed overnight with friends in that city and went back the next morning to have my patch off, then to my home. Traveled and sat out on Friday....decided not to work on Saturday ( I own the business and had a fill in) Monday backk to the Doc and work on Tuesday. Actually, I could have worked on Saturday. I only work at the puter an hour or so, but use intense visual concentration full time as a working violinmaker.

The first week I covered up with a pirate's patch and worked with one eye, slowly but accurately. The second week, no patch and foggy vision in the graft eye. But, even with foggy vision I have depth perceptiion.

Don't baby yourself. Jump back into it. Just no bending over too low for a couple of weeks. Get back to work, you'll feel better.

Piper

[GarethB]

Employment law is very different between the UK and the USA.

Even within the UK there are somethings that a small business can get away with which a larger business must comply with.

With the litigation culture as it is now many employers prefer us to take time off work as do the doctors in such instances to cover their own backs as well as the employees.

As Piper is in the US and self employed things are very different. Working for an American company I am protected by UK employment law and to some extent US employment law which resulted in enforced sick leave until my sight was corrected as they wanted to protect themselves and ensure any adaptations deemed necessary were in place ready for me to return to work.

[John Smith]

Craig,

I also have a job where I'm staring at a screen for the whole day.

After my first graft (a PK), I felt I could return to work after 3 weeks, but my employer (an American consultancy) was too scared, so they sent me to occ health before eventually allowing me back in the building after 6 weeks.

After my second graft (a DALK), I returned to work after 3 weeks.

Please note that the recovery time for a DALK will be much quicker than a PK. In any case, treat your recovery at your own pace.

[piper]

GarethB.......don't get me wrong, I'd love nothing better than to have 3-6 weeks to take my kayak out, chase the alligators around a little, paint the back door, watch the History Channel on TV......but, sadly, if I don't work my family gets hungry and cries and as my hearing is still pretty good I can't stand the sound of that. So, off to work.

Maybe I should visit the UK for my next graft. Visit Tower Bridge, find a place with Guinness, listen to some local musicians, do some busking and relax.

Piper

[craigthornton]

GarethB.......don't get me wrong, I'd love nothing better than to have 3-6 weeks to take my kayak out, chase the alligators around a little, paint the back door, watch the History Channel on TV......but, sadly, if I don't work my family gets hungry and cries and as my hearing is still pretty good I can't stand the sound of that. So, off to work.

Maybe I should visit the UK for my next graft. Visit Tower Bridge, find a place with Guinness, listen to some local musicians, do some busking and relax.

Piper

I don't want time off for leisure activities - I just imagined my eye was going to be too sore to work all day. Didn't know what to expect that's all

[GarethB]

Self employment within the UK would put you in the same position as Piper; No work means no pay unless you have somekind of insurance that protects you for such occurances.

Even within the UK we have come across differences in local laws, in many areas the English Law is different to that in Scotland and Wales. Then there is also the complication of European law impacting on us too.