JJ I was shaky after my cataract removal, just for a half hour or so. They put an eye mask over the operated eye and I was told to sleep with it on but to remove it the next morning. She will be given drops, enough for a couple of weeks and the instructions to go with it. Definitely wouldn't let her go down all those steps on her own and it would be nice if you could sit with her for a while, if she'll let you, just to put your mind at rest.
Me? I'm a PITA. Rub my eyes in my sleep after stroking my dog (he sleeps with me). I know this because I wake up rubbing them. Tell her not to rub her eye no matter how much it itches because my eye is still not OK. It's all my own fault. BUT the sight out of that (left) eye is brilliant and shows up the other one as everything has a yellow hue with my right one. That's due to be done in 3 weeks.
Op doesn't hurt BTW. Good Luck to her. xx