Cataracts appear gradually and go unobserved at first but eventually affect your vision, which can be restored surgically by removing the cataract.
A cataract is a vision complication that inflicts damage to the normally clear lens of the human eye. This minimizes the proportion of light that can enter the eye, causing vision problems, confusion and glare, and, in some cases, double vision. Cataracts are most frequently associated with old age, but they can appear at any age due to multiple reasons. This could be due to certain prescriptions, such as steroids, or a medical condition, such as diabetes.
Cataracts typically appear gradually and go unobserved initially, but eventually affect your vision. The only way to regain your vision is to surgically remove the cataract. Before your surgery, your healthcare provider schedules a pre-operative evaluation appointment with your surgeon to give you instructions on how to prepare for your operation as well as assess your suitability for the procedure and anesthesia.
Things To Do Before Your Cataract Surgery
- You must arrive at the hospital according to the admission date and time specified in your appointment letter. If your surgery is scheduled for the afternoon, you will be admitted either early in the morning or later in the morning.
- When you arrive, your information will be checked against your medical records, and the surgeon will inspect your blood pressure and pulse rate, irrespective of whether you don’t have diabetes or high blood pressure. You will be required to sign or reconfirm your surgical consent. So be mentally and physically prepared.
- Before surgery, you will be given dilating eye drops to put in the eye that is being operated on. The drops will dilate the pupil, allowing the surgeon to see inside your eye more clearly. You may have been given this eye drops to use at home before the surgery date. Make sure you have applied the drops as per the prescription.
- There is no need to undress if you are having surgery with a local anaesthetic, but it is best to wear comfortable clothing that is not too tight around your neck.
- As you will be unable to drive immediately post-surgery, make arrangements for a ride home. You must also plan on taking one to three days off from daily tasks to recuperate and rest.
Things To Avoid Prior To Your Cataract Surgery
- There is a possibility that stomach acid will enter your lungs while you are sedated, causing harm. To be secure from this outcome, you should fast for about 12 hours before surgery.
- Makeup, moisturisers or other body care products should be removed the night before cataract surgery because they can lead to severe infections.
- As cataract surgery means breaking the lens, there may be some minor bleeding. While it is normally irrelevant, your eye specialist may still advise you to stop taking paracetamol or anti-clotting medications before your procedure just to be safe.
- You should cease wearing contact lenses at least three days prior to surgery and switch to glasses to prevent irritating your eye.
- You must abstain from intoxicating beverages, including champagne, wine, and beer, for at least 24 hours prior to your cataract procedure.
