Cataract treatment is one of the most common eye surgeries on the planet. A doctor can almost always perform it on an outpatient basis. However, you'll still need to take some preparatory steps.
Meet with Your Eye Doctor
Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to discuss the procedure, ask any questions you might have, and get instructions for the days before cataract surgery. For example, doctors will frequently have patients stop eating or drinking anything a few hours before cataract treatment. Make sure the doctor gives you the instructions in print form so you can follow them.
Avoid Wearing Contacts
You will need to stop wearing contacts for a few weeks before the surgeon takes measurements. The pressure of the contact lenses can reshape your cornea and affect the surgery's precision level. A surgeon may have a hard time getting accurate measurements, and this might throw off the dimensions of the artificial lenses and the locations of the incisions. Fortunately, most practices take measurements and perform surgery on the same day.
Medications
Blood-thinning medications are of special concern for anyone planning surgery. Your doctor will likely ask you to stop taking such medications a few days before the procedure. For example, a patient may take aspirin to prevent blood clots. Their doctor will probably recommend they discontinue use or find an alternative medication. Depending on how necessary the medication is, your eye doctor may need to consult with your GP or other doctors to sort out your medication needs.
Also, let your doctor know if you have any known allergies or sensitivities to medications, anesthetics, or antibiotics. With this information, your doctor can choose the most appropriate options. This will improve the odds that you won't develop complications like extreme swelling, pain, or infections after the procedure.
Dress Comfortably
Wear loose-fitting clothes on the day of the surgery. The doctor's assistant may need to roll up your sleeve to give you a shot, and this will make doing the job easier.
Understandably, you'll also have some vision issues after cataract surgery. A pair of eyeglasses or a hat to wear after the procedure can also be helpful, especially if you know it will be sunny that day.
Transportation
After cataract treatment, you won't be able to drive home. Arrange for a family member or friend to drive you. Your insurance provider may also offer rides, and this is a good time to inquire. Alternatively, you could call a taxi or rideshare.
Contact a company like Eye Institute of Mississippi for more information.
Share9 January 2023
Hello, my name is Martin. Welcome to my site about optometry. I want to use this website to talk about all of the tools and techniques used to measure vision and eye health. Optometrists can accurately measure the patient's ability to see by simply performing a series of unique tests. The visions tests require the patient's participation to find the right prescription for corrective lenses. The rest of the exam is performed to check the health of the eye from the surface to the retina. I invite you to follow along and learn all you can about this interesting subject. Thanks for visiting.
