The day of surgery is here. Remember to have a responsible party with you on the day of surgery to drive you to and from the appointment and to help care for you the day of surgery. They should plan on staying at the facility while you are here. This is usually for about 2 hours.
If having surgery at the East Michigan Surgery Center, the day will start off by checking in with the receptionist at our facility. (Patients scheduled at the hospital will be given separate instructions for arrival.) Once checked-in you will be taken back to our pre-op area where the nurse will give you several eye medications. These drops will dilate your pupil, help prevent infection, and numb the surface of your eye.
A small IV catheter will be placed in your arm or hand so medication can be given to help you feel calm and relaxed. Then you will be taken into one of our operating rooms where you will be greeted by one of our nurse anesthetist who will see to your safety and comfort.
The surgery takes approximately 15 minutes to perform. After the surgery, you will be taken to our post-op area and given a light snack & drink. The nurses will monitor you while the IV medication wears off. Once you are alert and awake you will receive discharge instructions and be discharged to go home.
Immediately After Surgery
You will be taken back to the post-op area and given a light snack. The nurses will monitor your progress and allow you to go home when they are satisfied that you are alert and awake. You will receive post-op instructions.
Same Day At Home
Resume your normal walking, climbing of stairs, avoid strenuous activity and no lifting greater than 20 pounds for the first 7-10 days. Resume any medication you were taking from other doctors as ordered when you get home. Your eye may feel scratchy and itchy. You may take Tylenol as needed for any eye discomfort or irritation. Keeping your eye closed will help you feel more comfortable. DO NOT RUB THE EYE. If your eye tears, close it gently and wipe the tear away as it reaches your cheek. Do not put any pressure on the eye. Your vision may be blurry the first few days after surgery while the eye heals and the pupil is still dilated.
Instructions For Surgical Patients
Medications
If you normally take heart, blood pressure or breathing medications in the AM, you may still take them with a sip of water. You may drink 2- 4 ounces of water to take your pills up to 2 hours before your arrival time. Diabetics on insulin and pills: do not eat anything after midnight the night before surgery. Bring your insulin or pills with you on the morning of surgery.
Food
Do not eat anything after midnight before surgery.
Bathing
A bath or shower should be taken the evening before or the morning of surgery. On the morning of surgery wash face thoroughly and DO NOT apply moisturizer or makeup. Men should shave. You may brush your teeth.
Dentures, Glasses, Hearing Aids, Etc.
It is O.K. to wear dentures and hearing aids. You will need to remove your glasses during surgery.
Clothing
Wear loose comfortable clothing. Please wear a short sleeve shirt/blouse. We will give you a gown to wear. You will keep your slacks on.
Transportation/Responsible Party
You will need someone, other than yourself, to drive you to and from the office the day of surgery and to your post-op visit the next day. On the day of the surgery, you will need to have a responsible adult with you to receive post-op instructions and accompany you home.
Visitors
Please restrict family and friends in the waiting room 1 or 2 people.
Locker With Key
A locker with a key is available for your valuables, or they may be left with a family member or friend who accompanies you. We cannot take responsibility for personal items such as rings, watches, bracelets, etc.
How To Care For Your Eyes After Cataract Surgery
After your surgery is completed, it will be important for you to know how to care for your eye properly. This information will guide you in your eye care.
The Day After
The day after surgery, your eye will begin a time of healing. You will notice changes in your vision during that time and you can expect your sight to get better as your eye heals.
Time To Heal
Your eye will need three to five weeks to heal properly. During this healing period, we may examine your eye several times to monitor your progress. In the first two weeks after surgery, you may experience some common and normal irritations. They are:
- Redness of the eye
- Scratchiness in the eye
- Watering eye
- Discharge or crusting on the eyelids, especially in the morning
- Specks or threads in your vision
- The eye will be sensitive to light; tearing may result from sunlight (wear sunglasses as needed)
- Tenderness around the eye; you may take mild pain relievers (Tylenol) as needed.
* Typically, all these signs will improve as the healing time continues.
Warning Signs
Please Call the office at 810-238-3603
Warning Signs that require our immediate attention are as follows:
- Severe, prolonged, unrelenting pain or discomfort in and around the eye.
- A sudden change in vision.
- A bright burst of light followed by reduced vision.
General Eye Care
Wash discharge from the eye with clean wet face cloth for one week, if necessary.
What Will I Be Able To Do?
You will be able to engage in most activities. You may be up and about, bend over to pick up objects or put on shoes. Using reasonable care, you may bathe or shower, wash hair, shave, brush teeth, read, write, watch TV, ride in care, climb stairs or go for a walk. Driving is permitted, following your first post-op visit, if the other eye sees well enough. You may sleep in any position you desire. You may lie on either side.
Eye Protection
It is important not to rub the eye that was operated on. It is always important to protect the eye from unexpected injury. Use the eye shield while sleeping for one week following the surgery. Run the tape (which holds the shield in place) from the center of your forehead down toward the lower part of the ear. If you have any pain or unusual symptoms, please call 810-238-3603. If the office is closed please leave a message with the answering service and someone will return your call.
Instructions For Use Of Eye Medications
Drops should be placed in the space between your eye and lower lid as follows:
- Wash hands thoroughly before touching the eye area.
- Placing a finger on your cheek, just under your eye, gently pull down until a “V” is formed creating a pocket between your lower lid and eye.
- Being careful not to touch the tip of the eye drop container with your fingers, or to the eye, instill drops as ordered.
- Continue to hold the lower lid out for a few seconds.
- Release lid.
- Close eye slowly. DO NOT SQUEEZE EYE!
- Wipe away excess medication with clean tissue or gauze.