To ensure the best possible outcome from your cataract surgery, it is important for you to meet with the surgeon, undergo an in-depth pre-surgical eye exam, and follow pre and post-surgery instructions. Our team is here to answer all of your questions and to help make your journey to better vision as smooth as possible. If after your consultations you have additional questions or concerns, please contact your surgeon.

Preparing for Cataract Surgery

Prior to scheduling cataract surgery patients must have a consultation with their surgeon. This is a critical step, and you can expect your visit to take more than two hours. Each patent is unique, and the consultation allows our specialists to understand your individual needs and to perform all the necessary diagnostic tests to help guide the surgical plan and to determine the best lens implant. Please use this opportunity to ask all of your questions. For a list of FAQs About Cataract Surgery, click here.

During your consultation your surgeon will:

• Take your medical history
• Perform a thorough eye exam to determine the health of your eyes
• Discuss risks and benefits of available surgical options and lens implants
• Determine your custom treatment plan based on your eye health, visual needs, lifestyle and budget

Diagnostic tests performed during your consultation will include:

• Visual acuity
• Refraction
• Gonioscopy
• Intraocular pressure
• Anterior segment exam
• Dilated fundus exam
• Lens implant calculations-IOL master
• Topography to assess the shape of the cornea
• Ultrasound A scan/B scan
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of nerve or retina

Your consultation will take more than two hours. At the time of your consultation, you will be provided with instructions on how to prepare for your surgery. Our surgical coordinator will call you to finalize the day and time of your surgery, and to provide a prescription for your eye drop medication. Please make sure to get your eye drop prescription filled prior to your surgery. It’s an important part of your post-surgery care, and you should have it on hand before your surgery.

You will also need to sign a consent form and complete a pre-operative medical evaluation either with your primary care physician or at a surgical testing site five days before your scheduled surgery.

Patient Forms:

• Patient Consent Form
• Adult Pre-Operative Medical Evaluation Form

On the Day of Surgery

In most cases, cataract surgery is performed under local anesthesia. Your surgeon will use eye drops to numb the eye. You will go home the same day. And while cataract surgery itself typically lasts 20 minutes, you may spend 2-3 hours at the hospital to allow time for pre-surgical registration and post-surgical recovery. Because you may feel a little groggy from anesthesia or have blurry vision in the early stages, you’ll need to have an escort take you home. It’s also important to get your eye drop prescriptions filled prior to your post-operative visit.

What Happens Immediately After My Cataract Surgery?

Your eye is very sensitive after the procedure, so your doctor may ask you to temporarily wear an eye shield or an eye patch immediately after the procedure. Common symptoms are:

• Redness
• Itching and mild discomfort for the first few days
• Fluid discharge
• Blurry vision
• Light sensitivity

Your doctor will normally ask to see you a day or two following surgery, and intermittently after that. You will also be prescribed eye drops to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and control eye pressure.

Reading, watching TV, and walking are okay after cataract surgery. You can also resume most normal indoors activities. However, avoid, heavy lifting (such as groceries or laundry) for at least 1-2 weeks, or until your doctors gives you the okay. Also, avoid driving until your doctor approves.

What Will My Vision Be Like After Cataract Surgery?

Your vision may be blurry for a few days to a few weeks while your eye heals and adjusts. If you received an IOL, colors may seem very bright at first, until the eye becomes acclimated to the new, clear lens. With the new IOL, however, your focusing power and vision will soon be restored.