Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. The total duration of hospital stay is about 2-3 hours. You should arrange for someone to drive you home that day.
Starting 2 Days Before Surgery:
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Vigamox, Lotemax, and Voltaren:
Instill 1 drop of each medication 4 times a day to the operated eye starting 2 days before AND on the morning of the surgery.
Wait at least 2 minutes before instilling the next eye drop.
If you use eye drops for glaucoma, continue as usual |
1. Vigamox |
2. Lotemax |
3. Voltaren |
On the Morning of Surgery:
- If your surgery is in the morning, do not eat or drink after midnight, the night before surgery.
- If your surgery is in the afternoon, do not eat after midnight, but you may drink small amounts of clear fluids (water, apple juice, or tea, but NO milk) up to 6 hours before surgery.
- Take all your usual medications on the morning of surgery with small sips of water.
- If you take blood pressure pills, or blood thinners (aspirin or coumadin), continue as usual.
- If you have diabetes, DO NOT take your diabetes pills or insulin on the morning of surgery.
- Do not use make-up, perfume, or wear any jewelry. Wear a SHORT SLEEVE BUTTONED SHIRT to the hospital.
- Bring ALL your eye drops, medications, AND THIS SHEET with you to the hospital.
Instructions After Surgery:
Post-Operative Visit #1: |
Usually, patients will be seen several hours after surgery on the same day. You will be given the time of the appointment by your nurse after surgery. |
Post-Operative Visit #2: |
Usually done within 4-10 days after the surgery. This appointment will be pre-arranged at the same time as your surgery booking |
Post-Operative Visit #3: |
Please schedule an appointment with your optometrist at least one month after your second eye surgery. |
Resume using your eye drops on the same day of surgery after returning home, at dinner, and at bed time. Starting the next day after surgery, continue the eye drops as follows:
- VIGAMOX 1 drop 4 times a day for 1 week.
- LOTEMAX 1 drop 4 times a day for 3 weeks.
- VOLTAREN 1 drop 4 times a day for 3 weeks.
- If you usually take glaucoma drops, continue with them as usual.
- Anytime after surgery (especially after drops #1-3 are finished), you may experience dry eye symptoms for several weeks to months. Use artificial tears 3-4 times daily (or as needed) for your comfort.
Caring for your eye after surgery:
Wear a PLASTIC SHIELD over your operated eye for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that, wear the shield while sleeping for at least 1 week. Wear sunglasses when you are outdoors to avoid light sensitivity.
DO NOT put any pressure on the eye or squeeze or rub your eye. You may wipe the corners of your eye gently with a clean tissue or face cloth.
Activities: You may resume light activities, but avoid straining, bending over, heavy lifting, or exercising for the first week after surgery. Reading, watching TV, and walking are allowed. Ask your surgeon regarding when you may resume driving and work after surgery. No swimming or diving for 1 month. Golf or tennis is permissible after 1 week with protective eye wear.
Bathing: You may take a bath at anytime, but try to avoid getting soap or water in the eye. You should avoid showering for the first week after surgery.
Glasses: It is normal for the operated eye to feel somewhat cloudy and out of focus until you receive your new glasses. Depth perception and judging distances may not be normal at first. Your old glasses may no longer be suitable for your eye after surgery. A new prescription for glasses is usually given at least 1 month after surgery by your OPTOMETRIST. In the meantime, you may remove the lens on the side of the operated eye from your current glasses. If you have a cataract in the other eye, you may want to wait until surgery for both eyes are complete before obtaining your new glasses.
IMPORTANT:
If you develop severe pain, redness, or decreased vision any time after surgery,
notify your surgeon’s office immediately. On a weekend or after-hours, go to
Your nearest Hospital Emergency Department. |
