Planning For Your Upcoming Cataract Surgery

Your eye doctor has suggested that you have cataract surgery to improve your vision, but you're a little nervous about the procedure. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 3 million people have this surgery each year, and more than one third experience a higher quality of life after completing the procedure in both eyes. Here is some information to help you feel more comfortable about the surgery and get excited about your improved vision.

Outpatient Surgery Makes This Quick and Convenient

This procedure is done in your doctor's office. There is no need for a hospital stay. Once the surgery is done, you'll go back home and resume your daily activities and soon be seeing the improvement in your sight.

Ask a friend to take you to the clinic for the surgery and back home afterwards. Your pupils will be dilated for the procedure, which makes driving difficult for a few hours.

Preparing for the Surgery

Have a light meal and get plenty of rest the night before. On the morning of the surgery, have a simple breakfast and skip the coffee. You'll be more relaxed for the surgery and have less risk of stomach upset.

Talk with your eye doctor if you're feeling anxious about the procedure. They can give you a medication to take before you come to the clinic to help you relax.

This is a quick procedure, but plan on spending a couple of hours at the clinic. This gives you time to rest after the surgery before your friend takes you home.

What to Expect from the Surgery Itself

For the procedure, you'll sit reclined in a comfortable chair. The doctor will place a couple of drops in your eye. One will dilate the pupil, which gives better access to the lens in your eye. The other drop is an anesthetic so you'll feel nothing but a little pressure during the surgery. This is a painless procedure to improve your vision.

You may notice a low humming sound from the equipment your doctor uses as they work on your eye. They will remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial one called an intraocular lens (IOL). This is a permanent replacement and you'll notice no difference from the original lens prior to the presence of the cataract.

After the Surgery

You'll relax in the doctor's clinic for a short time after the procedure. The vision in your affected eye will be blurry for a short time due to the eye drops. You'll also be sensitive to bright lights for a few hours. Once you feel ready to travel, your friend can take you home. Rarely will you need any pain medication after the procedure. If you have any achiness in the eye, an over-the-counter pain med such as ibuprofen will help.

You may develop an itch in the eye as it heals. Your doctor may have you wear a shield over your eye if the temptation to scratch or rub your eye is too great. This will only last for a few days. You may also be given some eye drops to keep your eye moist and prevent infection. As the itching sensation goes away, you'll begin to see the improvement in your vision.

This is a simple procedure that will help you see clearly again. If you're still feeling anxious about the surgery, talk with a doctor like Midwest Eye Care PC. They will give you some additional tips to help you get through the procedure and be excited about your new, clearer eyesight.