Frequently Asked Questions
1. Pre Operative Instructions for Cataract Surgery
It is important for you to follow all the cataract surgery pre op instructions given to you by your doctor. Your surgeon may advise you not to drink alcohol for 12 hours before the cataract eye surgery. If you are on other medications, your doctor may ask you to stop taking them or alter the timing of the medications prior to the cataract surgery procedure. You may be instructed to use cataract surgery pre op medications or pre cataract surgery eye drops to prevent infection. A good night’s rest is important before the day of the cataract operation.
Yes. Ensure that eye drops are applied as directed. Apply only one drop at a time to the suggested eye and give a gap of at least 15 minutes between drops. Note that your vision will be blurred after you apply Tropicacyl Plus eye drops on the day of cataract surgery procedure. Kindly take care accordingly.
Yes. Bring the medicines and pre cataract surgery eye drops with you to the hospital on the day of cataract surgery
If you are on medication for systemic illness, please continue your regular medication, unless specifically instructed otherwise by your ophthalmologist.
Yes. You can shave on the day of cataract removal surgery.
Yes. You can bring 1 attendant over the age of 18 years with you on the day of the cataract eye surgery. Children and infants are not allowed.
Starting the eye drops before cataract removal gives your eye a better chance to heal from the inflammation caused by the cataract extraction and to fight infection.
Yes. You should have breakfast (normal diet) before coming for the cataract procedure.
Yes. Please wash your hair on the day of cataract surgery as you will not be able to do so for 1 week after the cataract surgery. However, oil should not be applied to your hair.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, preferably a short sleeve shirt or blouse that button or zip up the front,and comfortable shoes when you come for cataract surgery.
2. Post Operative Instructions for Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery after effects – there is no severe pain associated with cataract removal surgery. You may experience post cataract surgery symptoms such as minor discomfort, blurry vision, watering and an itchy feeling, or a little soreness in your eye for a couple of days after cataract surgery. While some patients do not feel any major discomfort, others may feel like they have an eyelash or grain of sand in their eye. Your eye may also be slightly red after the cataract extraction. However, most of these cataract surgery recovery symptoms will settle within a few days. You can take an over-the-counter pain relieving tablet to help ease any pain.
Your post cataract surgery follow up visits will be scheduled for 24 hours after the cataract removal, 3 to 5 days after the cataract surgery, and 10 days,15 days and one month after the cataract procedure.
You should wear indoor protective eye glasses for 24 hours and the outdoor protective eye glasses for 1 month after cataract surgery. It is advisable to remove your glasses while lying down or sleeping.
Mild redness, foreign body sensation, watering from both eyes and blurred vision is common post cataract surgery. These cataract surgery recovery symptoms will settle over 1-2 weeks
Yes, you can take a painkiller (analgesic tablet) in case of persisting pain.
You will need to rest in a recovery area immediately after the cataract procedure until the effects of the sedation or anesthesia wear off. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. After you receive instructions on cataract surgery after care, you can go home.
Yes. You may have a light snack after your cataract operation. Please carry your lunch or a snack with you if you are diabetic.
Some patients will experience blurred or double vision for a few days after cataract surgery. Vision will gradually begin to improve 48-72 hours after the surgery. You can expect adjustments in vision to occur for a few months after cataract surgery.
In case you experience symptoms of worsening or loss of vision, spots (floaters) or flashes in vision, increasing redness, increasing pain despite the use of pain medications, pus discharge, and persistent irritation post cataract surgery, you need to see your doctor immediately.
Yes. Since cataract surgery is only performed on one eye at a time, you may notice an imbalance in your vision after cataract surgery on the first eye. Your vision will balance out after the second eye is operated on (1–4 weeks after surgery on the first eye).