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 |
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Place one drop of Ocuflox
into the eye to be operated on every four hours while awake. |
| Prior to your Cataract
Surgery Day |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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Do not wear make-up. Wash face
again with soap and water. |
|
Avoid coffee, tea, or milk unless otherwise instructed. |
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Make sure to take all of your usual
medications before coming to the surgery center. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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:
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Commonly Asked Questions:
How soon after surgery will I see well?
If you have an intraocular lens (IOL) implanted during surgery, normal
vision should be restored within a few weeks.
Will I still need my glasses or contacts?
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).
Will my insurance cover cataract surgery?
Most health care coverage plans do cover cataract surgery. Find out
if your coverage plan requires a referral or prior authorization.
Find
out more about it here. |
