CATARACTS — PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS

Description of Procedure
The cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis at the Oregon Eye Surgery Center. You will be able to go home after the cataract surgery, but you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and bring you back the next day for a follow-up visit.

Sometimes general anesthesia is recommended: if you are especially frightened and don't wish to stay awake during the procedure; if there is a chance you might not be able to hold still; or if you have severe claustrophobia and cannot tolerate having your face covered during surgery. Children always need to have general anesthesia.

An ultrasonic probe, which vibrates 40,000 times per second, is used to break up a cataract into tiny microscopic pieces which are emulsified and gently aspirated out of the eye. This method of cataract removal is considered the least traumatic to the eye.

A specially designed injector, much like a syringe, is used to implant the foldable intraocular lens. The injector is inserted through the clear corneal incision, over the iris, and into the center of the pupil. There, the lens is slowly ejected where it expands and unfolds into position.

Patient Process and Procedure

Three (3) days before Cataract Surgery
	Place one drop of Ocuflox into the eye to be operated on every four hours while awake.
Prior to your Cataract Surgery Day
	Make transportation arrangements. You should NOT drive yourself home after surgery because you may be mildly sedated and your eye may be patched. You will need someone to bring you to your post-operative visit. At your post-operative exam, your doctor will let you know when you are able to drive.
	Please remove all facial makeup (lipstick, facial creams, eye makeup etc.) a minimum of 1 day prior to surgery. For your own safety, surgery may be canceled if makeup is present.
	When your dates of exam and surgery are selected, it is very important that you remove your contact lenses prior to your examination for at least two (2) weeks for soft contacts and three (3) for rigid lenses. This means you should not wear them for any reason, even for a few hours. It then enables us to perform the preoperative testing on your eyes in their natural shape thus giving us the utmost accuracy for all your surgical calculations. We do all we can to accommodate your schedule when you must travel a great distance to have your surgery by Drs. Fine, Hoffman & Packer at the Oregon Eye Surgery Center. We regret your inconvenience if we have to postpone your exam and surgery due to contact lens wear.
	No food or drink after midnight unless otherwise instructed. You will be contacted by a nurse from the surgery center about eating instructions.
The Day of Cataract Surgery
	Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or after-shave on your surgery date. Please do not use any hair products that contain alcohol such as hair spray or mousse.
	Do not wear make-up. Wash face again with soap and water.
	Avoid coffee, tea, or milk unless otherwise instructed.
	Make sure to take all of your usual medications before coming to the surgery center.
	Wear comfortable clothing and a short-sleeved shirt or blouse that opens down the front. Do not wear nylons, stockings or support garments. Men, do NOT wear t-shirts.
After Cataract Surgery
	Topical anesthesia means rapid visual recovery after cataract surgery. Occasionally, a local anesthetic is necessary. In that case your vision will return more gradually, and you may notice blurred or double vision at first. Once in a while a patch is placed over the eye after cataract surgery. Leave the patch in place until your appointment on the day after surgery. Wear the shield over your eye when you go to sleep for one week after your surgery.
	Post-Operative Medication: After cataract surgery you should use these eye drops as directed: Antiobiotic - FOUR TIMES A DAY until gone (NSAID) Anti-inflammatory - FOUR TIMES A DAY x 2 weeks Steriod/Anti-inflammatory - FOUR TIMES A DAY x 1 week then TWO TIMES A DAY x 2 weeks
	Post-Operative Symptoms: You may have a scratchy or funny feeling like something is in your eye after surgery. Also, many people notice a pink or red glow following surgery. These experiences are normal and expected. If you have severe pain that is not relieved by pain medication you should call the doctor's office. If you have severe pain, sudden change in vision, or need explanations, call any time day or night (541) 687-2110 / 800-452-2040.
	Many people need a change in their eyeglass prescription following cataract surgery. Some will only need glasses for reading, and some may find they need glasses only rarely or not at all (especially with multifocal or accommodating lenses).
	You should expect to visit the doctor's office on the day after your surgery and again two weeks after your surgery. Of course, individual differences in healing may mean changes in this schedule.

Related Information About Cataracts:

• Synchrony IOL  (pdf)  Synchrony website
• Risks and Limitations
• Surgery Center
• Financial Responsibility
• Financing Options
• Cataracts Main Page
• Procedures Available Main Page