Care and Recommendations on the Day of Cataract Surgery

Care and Recommendations on the Day of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery (phacoemulsification + intraocular lens implantation) is a safe outpatient procedure, but it requires following specific protocols on the day to minimize risks and ensure optimal recovery. Here are the details:

📌 Before Leaving Home (Preparation)

✔ Fast:

6 hours without solid food.

3 hours without liquids. Typically, only water is allowed. No juice or coffee, and certainly no bread.

✔ Clothing:

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (avoid tight sweaters). You will often need to change clothes again before entering the operating room.

Do not wear makeup, creams, or perfume (risk of contamination).

We also recommend NOT wearing jewelry.

✔ Documents:

Bring identification, medical orders, and preoperative studies, internal medicine evaluation, intraocular lens measurements, etc.

Health insurance card (if applicable), insurance acceptance forms (if applicable)

✔ Companion:

It is mandatory to be accompanied by a responsible adult (you will not be able to drive afterward).

🏥 At the Hospital/Clinic (Preoperative)

✔ Regular Medication:

Take your regular medications with a sip of water (except for anticoagulants if prescribed by the surgeon). This is extremely important for medications to control blood pressure, as if it is uncontrolled, you cannot be admitted to the operating room until it is under control. Even if it is very poorly controlled, your surgery could be suspended.

✔ Preoperative Procedures:

Application of dilating and antiseptic drops (30-60 minutes before).

Blood pressure and glucose monitoring (in diabetic patients).

✔ Informed consent:

Sign the document explaining the risks and benefits.

🛠️ During Surgery (What to Expect)

Duration: 15-30 minutes per eye.

Anesthesia: Anesthetic drops + mild sedation (not painful).

Position: Lying on your back, in bright light (cover the other eye).

Instructions:

Keep your head still and follow the surgeon's instructions.

You will see lights and shadows, but not the procedure in detail.

🚨 Immediately After Surgery

✔ Initial Recovery:

Rest in the recovery area for 30-60 minutes.

Blurry or cloudy vision (normal due to the drops and dilation).

✔ Eye protection:

A transparent patch or shield will be applied (do not remove it until the next day or until you get home, depending on the doctor's order).

✔ Discharge instructions:

Do not drive or make legal decisions (due to sedation).

Do not rub the operated eye (even if it stings).

Rest at home (avoid bending over or straining).

💧 Postoperative Medication Management

On the same day, you usually rest overnight. Start:

Antibiotic drops (e.g., Moxifloxacin): 1 drop every 4-6 hours.

Anti-inflammatory drops (e.g., Prednisolone): 1 drop every 4-6 hours.

Preservative-free lubricants (e.g., Sodium hyaluronate): 4-6 times a day.

Note: The doctor will adjust the dose based on progress.

🚫 Prohibitions on the Day of Surgery

❌ Sleeping without eye protection or sleeping on the opposite side of the surgery or on your back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.

❌ Exposure to dust, smoke, or wind (wear sunglasses when you go outside).

❌ Getting your eye wet. Swimming in pools, oceans, or rivers is prohibited.

❌ Lifting weight (>10 kg) or exercising.

⚠️ Warning Signs (Go to the Emergency Room)

🔴 Severe pain not controlled with common painkillers.

🔴 Sudden vision loss.

🔴 Increasing redness or purulent discharge.

🔴 Flashes of light or new floaters (risk of retinal detachment).

📞 Additional Recommendations

✔ First checkup: The next day (the patch will be removed and visual acuity will be assessed).

✔ Diet: Light (soups, fruits) to avoid nausea due to sedation.

✔ Physical activity: Resume brisk walks after 48 hours.

💡 Why are these precautions important?

They prevent infections (endophthalmitis, <1% of cases but serious).

They ensure that the intraocular lens is properly stabilized.

They accelerate visual recovery (noticeable improvement in 24-72 hours).