Your Cataract Operation – what to expect.
Before the operation:
Preop visit:
- check vision, intraocular pressure, cataract
- discuss intraocular lens, postop plan for vision/glasses
- discuss any new medical health issues, medications
- discuss postop strategies, risks, answer questions
Need to do:
- admission forms – sign, deliver
- chemist – make up medications, bring to hospital
- driving – NB no driving after the operation, until you adjust
Day of op:
- NB must be well
- Start antibiotic drops to both eyes
- No makeup
- Bring medications with you to the hospital
At hospital:
- Staff will put lots of drops into the op eye to increase (dilate) the pupil size
- Dr Dunlop will check your pupil, answer any questions
Preop anaesthetic room:
- Anaesthetic – discussion/check
- A relaxing anaesthetic will be started, before anaesthetic is put around the op eye
In theatre:
- Dr Dunlop will check your pupil is dilated and the anaesthetic is working well
- Microscope will be focussed with your eye/head positioned
- Eyelids, lashes and eye will be cleaned
During operation:
- Remember to keep still,
- If you need a little more relaxation anaesthetic let us know
- you may say something if you have a problem, but don’t move during the operation
- you will hear talking and the phaco-emulsification machine working
End of operation:
- eye pad on op eye
- refreshments in recovery
- Dr Dunlop will give you some postop information, medication sheet
Overnight:
- leave eye pad on
- depth perception/3D vision will be different when one eye is covered with an eye pad –take care on steps/stairs and pouring hot drinks
- anaesthetic will still be working overnight and into the next day
Next day - day 1 postop visit:
- leave eye pad on
- bring ointment and medication sheet with you
- Dr Dunlop will take off the eye pad, check your eye on the slit-lamp and intraocular pressure
After visit day 1:
- Eye pad on op eye for the first day helps wound healing
- Start drops/ointment after lunch (lift up eye pad)
- Fresh eye pad at night
- Glasses lens may need to be removed for new op eye (may be too strong)
Day 2:
- Continue medications as per sheet
- No eye pad
- Use eye pad at night until you know you won’t rub it in your sleep
Over 3-4 weeks:
- Use medications as per sheet
- Avoid glare eg sunglasses, hat
- Never rub the eye (rub the bone below)
- Stitch removal is about 10 days postop on the slit-lamp after anaesthetic drops
- Vision will change as the eye heals, especially after stitch removal
- Glasses – Dr Dunlop will prescribe a new glasses lens when measurements are stable (about 3-4 weeks)
- Glaucoma medication – sometimes the intraocular pressure is improved after a cataract operation.
- Dr Dunlop will let you know which type, and when, to use glaucoma medication to the new postop eye. ( NB Xalatan drops are not used to the operated eye for a few months after cataract surgery). However use all your usual glaucoma drops to the other (unoperated) eye.