Despite all the advances, cataract surgery is truly a surgical procedure with multiple precepts and a number of strict requirements.
In the perioperative holding area, you will begin receiving many eye drops in the operative eye to dilate the pupil, numb the eye, and help prevent infection. An intravenous line will be placed in your arm.
When you are transferred to the operating room, a sedative will be administered and you will become relaxed and sleepy. Many people doze off during their procedure and do not remember it. It is typical for patients to feel more aware or remember more when they have surgery on their second eye.
During the surgery, you may enjoy an interesting light show. It is important not to talk or make sudden movements during your surgery. If you feel a need to cough, sneeze, itch, or move part of your body, try to give a verbal warning.
You must have a ride home after your surgery. Although the surgery itself averages about 10 minutes, plan on being at the surgery center for two to three hours.
Let me review a few specific preoperative instructions:
On the morning of surgery, report directly to the surgery center — not our office. Please arrive on time for your surgery. The surgery center runs a tight schedule with many patients before and after you. Time is needed to get you ready for surgery.
Do not eat or drink after midnight before surgery. This is a strict safety requirement. If you accidentally eat or drink the morning of your surgery, unfortunately, your surgery must be canceled. You may take your usual morning medications with small sips of water only.
Unlike most other surgeries, it is not necessary to discontinue blood thinners like Coumadin or Pradaxa, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen, before or after cataract surgery.
Inform the surgery center if you currently or ever took prostate or bladder medications like Flomax, as you may need additional eye drops to dilate your pupils for surgery.
Wash your hair and face the night before or the morning of surgery. Do not wear eye makeup and do not wear contact lenses. Wear comfortable, loosely fitting clothing.
In some cases, if there are specific retina conditions, a prescription drop such as Iluvien or Prolensa will be needed once each evening starting a week before surgery and continuing for a month postoperatively.
If you are on glaucoma drops — even if you are also receiving an iStent — continue using your glaucoma drops before and after your surgery unless instructed otherwise.
History and physical forms must be received by noon two days before your surgery. Due to strict surgery center regulations, if your physical has not been done and the completed form not received, your surgery will have to be canceled.
Payments for any upgraded vision packages must be made one week before surgery.
ADV Vision has offices in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Santa Maria, California, as well as Surgery Center in San Luis Obispo.
