Prior to Surgery
Small incision cataract surgery requires some preparation. Following your diagnosis, you will be given a surgery date. Before your surgery we need you to get surgical clearance from your primary care physician. We well provide the form; please have your doctor complete the physical within two weeks of your surgery.
Eye Drops
Antibiotic eye drops four times a day for three days before surgery is what we want your schedule to be. You will also use these drops following surgery, so bring them with you to the surgery center.
Medications
Taking regular medication for your heart or blood pressure, take it with a sip of water on the morning of surgery. If you are diabetic and taking insulin or oral medication, do not take your morning dose on the day of surgery. Bring all your mediations including your inhalers with you. If you are on blood thinners, there is usually no reason stop taking them with “no stitch, topical” cataract surgery. If you have any questions, please check with your physician.
Food and Drink
Food and liquid in your stomach too close to surgery may result in vomiting and pneumonia. You may brush your teeth, but swallow as little liquid as possible.
If your operation is scheduled before noon, please do not eat of drink after midnight the day before surgery. If the operation is scheduled after 12 noon, you may consume water, clear tea, black coffee, clear juices and/or dry toast before six a.m.
Transportation
Please arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgery on the day of your procedure. You may take a taxi.
Day of Cataract Surgery
Wear loose fitting clothing the day of surgery. When you arrive, a nurse will check your blood pressure, temperature and pulse and ask a few questions to make sure that you are well prepared for your surgery.
We will apply eye drops to dilate your pupil and numb the eye. Medication inserted through an IV will relax you, and may make you a little drowsy. Your anesthesiologist will review your medical history.
Blood pressure and heart monitors will be attached and you will be covered with sterile drapes. In the operating room, there will be more eye drops; we’ll wipe your face with alcohol and betadine. You will be able to breathe easily all through surgery; oxygen will be available by way of a tube directly in front of you.
Your surgery should only last 15 minutes and during that time you will be awake. Let us know if you need to cough or sneeze. You will be asked to look at the microscope light. If you feel any discomfort, we will immediately administer more medication. Most people are pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy the surgery is. Being awake during surgery is a lot safer and more comfortable for the patient. We’ll apply more eye drops after surgery. Usually, a patch is not required. You will rest for about 30 minutes while being monitored carefully and given something to eat and drink. Then you will be permitted to leave. Total time at the surgery facility is usually about three hours.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We are here to assist you in any way.
What to Expect After Surgery
Rest after surgery and below are acceptable levels of activities. Your vision will still be blurry, which is normal. Remember, do not drive on the surgery day and do not drink alcohol as we have given you a light sedative.
Do not rub your eye. If instructed, wear a shield over your eye at night until told otherwise. You may shower but avoid getting water directly in your eye.
You will be given eye drops to use beginning the day of surgery. The antibiotic and a steroid drop. Please use both drops four times a day until instructed otherwise. Here is one way to apply eye drops:
- Tilt your head back. Pull your bottom eyelid down.
- Squeeze one drop into your eye. Try not to touch the eye with the bottle tip.
- Close you eye for a few seconds.
It is normal to experience:
- Scratchy, sand-like feeling. This is due to slight irregularities at the site of the wound. Using artificial tears to lubricate the eye will help these symptoms.
- Slight eye ache or headache the first day. It’s okay to take Tylenol or a non-aspirin over-the-counter pain medication for this feeling.
- Discharge. Some eye discharge is normal following surgery. Small amounts of mucous may collect in the eye during the day and may be on the eyelashes in the morning. This may be removed with sterile cotton balls or a clean wash cloth and warm water.
Please call us immediately if you experience:
- Increase in pain or severe discomfort not relieved by the pain medication
- Loss of vision
- Blows or trauma to the eye sufficient to cause pain
- Increased redness of the eye or pus coming from the eye
- Nausea or vomiting
Call us at Jenkins Eye Care (855) 522-2020 if you have any questions about cataract surgery or if you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jenkins.
Activities:
Unless your surgeon instructs otherwise, you may resume non-strenuous activities immediately after surgery. This includes: walking, watching TV, reading, bathing or showering (keeping the eye dry for the first few days), eating what you what, bending over to put on shoes or picking something up, shampooing and swimming with your head above water. One day after surgery you may resume more strenuous activities such as golf, dancing, and playing tennis, light weightlifting and moderate exercise.
You may resume all activities after two weeks including swimming with your head under water, scuba, surfing, heavy weightlifting and more strenuous exercise.
Glasses:
Typically, new glasses may be prescribed in three to five weeks. In the mean time you may wear your old glasses as they will protect the operated eye from bumps and rubbing and help the vision in your other eye.
Sensitivity to light may occur after surgery for a short while. We will provide sunglasses that will fit over your old glasses. If you are comfortable in the sunlight, you may go without them.
Post-Operative Checklist
____ Do not drive the day of surgery. Rest at home. Your may read and watch TV.
____ Wear the eye shield the night after surgery as directed.
____ You may shower but avoid getting water in your eye.
____ Use eye drops as directed.
