Cataract surgery is essential for older people with a cloudy lens of your eye. People above 60 get proteins to build up on the lens capsule. At this point, the patient needs an eye doctor for a replacement lens instead of a natural one. The eye surgeon uses an intraocular lens instead of the clouded lens to restore normal vision.
A professional cataract surgeon replaces a natural lens with blurry vision using an artificial lens to correct vision problems. It can even correct retinal detachment using phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Cataract surgery comprises different types, including small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and others.
The general procedure involves replacing your natural lens with an artificial lens capsule to restore your vision. However, when you finally enroll in the cataracts surgery procedure, you must prepare ahead of your cataract surgery. Here is a way to prepare for your outpatient procedure for correcting cloudy vision as the eye heals.
Discuss the Changes in your Eye Vision
Observe your eyes for at least two weeks before you finally go for your cataract surgery. Remember that cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures. But you must be careful to avoid severe complications after the surgery. Discuss any concerns with your eye doctor. Similarly, prepare for the visual outcomes that will improve your vision.
Also, suppose you notice any redness, more sensitivity to light pass, or any discharge. In that case, you should inform the doctor’s office immediately. In addition, you may need to schedule an appointment with the opthalmologist to examine the eyes and record any changes. Other related observations may include severe cold and breathing issues.
What medications will you need for your cataract surgery?
Another part you should take care of is the medications that the doctors prescribe. For example, some medications can also interfere with cataract surgery or affect the risk of bleeding during the medical procedure. When any issue arises, the doctor is the first to know who may adjust the frequency of the drug. Or he may ask you to stop the medication for a while.
Be careful with your health if there is a record of diabetes or if you are on treatment for reflux. However, cataract surgery is a safe procedure but can lead to other complications in rare cases. Endeavor to use an eye shield or any protective shield on the operated eye after the lens implant. Then, you can continue with your drops to prevent eye infection through the tiny hole.
Use the medicated eye drops
Another vital part of your progress is using antibiotic eye drops that start a few days after the cataract surgery. These drops keep your eye moist, helping the natural healing process. Morover, the new artificial lens that replaces the natural lens ensures that the patient can enjoy a clear vision without eye pressure.
More so, you should follow every eye surgeon’s instructions on using eye drops. You can also apply these eye drops as indicated in the instruction to lower the stress on your eye muscles. The eye drops may also be helpful on the day of your cataract surgery. If so, you should bring it along to the cataract surgery.
Don’t use contact lenses
When going for cataract surgery, you should not use contact lenses during the surgery. It would help if you avoided contact lenses for three days before the cataract surgery. Otherwise, the contact lenses may lead to eye irritation, thereby delaying the cataract surgery. After the surgery, you should rest well, and you can wear glasses instead.
Using contact lenses could also lead to serious complications including double vision. Also, you can prevent infection of the eye after the cataract surgery while the patient recovers in about a month. The pride of most patients is a short recovery period of a few weeks after the natural lens is removed. The process may also involve ultrasound waves of laser beam.
Dress comfortably and avoid wearing cosmetics
While preparing for cataract surgery, you should endeavor to wear comfortable clothes because you don’t want additional stress. Try to wear an item of warm and comfortable clothing when the day of your surgery comes. Remember that you don’t need high heels for your cataract surgery day.
You should be OK with flat shoes with non-slip threading. The clinic should also give you a gown to wear on your clothes before the cataract surgery. So, you may not need to prepare for a change of clothes. In addition, you should also not wear cosmetics, cologne, body spray, deodorant, or hairspray. Patients can resume normal activities in not time and don’t have to stay overnight.
Follow the eye doctor’s advice on fasting
The eye doctor is your best friend in the journey of cataract surgery. As a result, you should follow all the advice and instructions in preparation for your cataract surgery session. For instance, the doctor may ask you not to eat or drink beyond midnight of your day before surgery. The affected eye also reuires careful montiroing before the cataract surgery.
Another necessary instruction is abstinence from alcoholic beverages such as liquor, wine, or beer. It would help if you stayed away from these beverages for at least 24 hours before the cataract surgery. Also, adhering to the instructions of an ophthalmologist can get a good night’s sleep and prepare your body ahead of your procedure.
Prepare for the recovery period after cataract surgery
It would help if you prepared for recovery before even going for cataract surgery. For instance, do you have a plan for someone who will drive you home after the surgery because you can’t drive? So, you need to ask a friend or family member to drive you to or from the clinic. Meanwhile, an alternative way is to book a ride, and you may have to ask the clinic ahead of the cataract surgery. Book 3 hours in the clinic before you return home after the surgery.
The local anaesthetic during the procedure creates numbness in the recovery area. Moreover, the patient should keep a follow-up appointment with the doctor’s office. The new artificial lens of your eye now allows you to stare safely at bright lights.
Ask Questions
Starting with the first appointment with the eye doctor, you must be able to ask any question that comes to mind. If possible, research to prepare you for the right questions. If you don’t understand the pre-operative instructions, ask before the surgery begins.
Also, get explicit instructions about what to do after the cataract surgery. Tell your eye doctor how you feel about the procedure, and arrive early enough on the day of your cataract surgery.