How To Prepare For Your Cataract Surgery
- Posted on: Feb 24 2015
Your vision has become blurred, and your eye doctor broke the news: you need cataract surgery. One of the most common eye operations performed, cataract surgery can significantly improve vision with very little downtime. The following are some steps patients should take to be fully prepared for cataract surgery procedure and a smooth recovery.
Cataract Surgery Prep
- Make time for pre-surgery tests: Before you have your surgery, your eye doctor will need to perform some tests. The most common test is simple and painless. Your eye doctor will simply measure and gauge the size and shape of your eye.
- Discuss IOL options: When you have cataract surgery, your eye doctor will remove the lens from your eye. Of course, since you need a lens, your eye doctor will replace it. The replacement lens is called an intraocular lens, or IOL. There are several types of IOLs and each type offers unique benefits, such as correcting certain vision problems. Talk to your eye doctor about your IOL options to learn which lens is right for you.
- Take a break from certain medications: Your eye doctor might advise you to stop taking certain medications before you have your cataract surgery. The medications you may need to take a break from are those that may increase your risk of infection or of bleeding during surgery. Blood thinners, for example, may need to be temporarily avoided. Be sure to follow your eye doctor’s orders about medications to ensure your safety and a smooth healing process.
- Arrange transportation: After your cataract surgery is complete, you will have a patch over your eye. As this can affect your vision, you must have someone else drive you home after your procedure. Plan ahead by asking someone to come with you to the eye doctor and to drive you home afterwards.
- Ask about recovery instructions: To ensure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible, ask your eye doctor about the recovery process ahead of time. For example, find out about the common side effects of the surgery, such itching or swelling, as well as what you are and aren’t allowed to do to make yourself more comfortable. Talk to your eye doctor about how soon you will be able to return to work or if there are certain activities that you must avoid.
Want To Know More About Cataract Surgery? Contact Dr. Giyaur
For more information about cataract surgery, contact Dr. Julia Giyaur, an ophthalmologist in Brooklyn and Rego Park. Our offices can be reached at 718.676.6464. We look forward to helping you see clearly.
Tagged with: cataract surgery, Cataracts
Posted in: Brooklyn Cataracts