What is the preparation for cataract surgery?

Have you recently found out you have cataracts? Developing cataracts is a normal and expected part of the aging process, occurring when the once-clear lens of the eye begins to cloud.

While cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in the United States, it is natural to have questions or be unsure of what to expect or how to prepare for your procedure.

The eye doctors at Houston’s Diagnostic Eye Center are here to help. Keep reading for tips on how you can prepare before cataract surgery!

Schedule a cataract screening

The first thing you should do is schedule a cataract screening with an eye doctor you trust. Cataract screenings are the first step in preparation for your procedure. During your cataract screening, you will receive a comprehensive eye exam and review your medical history.

This is the time to discuss whether you have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or other factors that may impact surgery. Your eye doctor will also assess the overall health of your eyes and how advanced your cataract is during your cataract screening appointment.

In many cases, patients don’t need to have cataract surgery right away. In fact, most surgeons will only perform cataract surgery if cataracts are impacting your lifestyle or making it difficult to complete daily activities like driving, reading, or completing work-related tasks. If you have reached this point, your cataract surgeon will discuss the next steps, and when to schedule your procedure.

At Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston, we recognize that each patient is different – we will provide a thorough eye examination and work with you to recommend the best options for your cataract procedure.

Choose an intraocular lens that fits your lifestyle

Cataract surgery involves removing the eye’s natural, clouded lens and replacing it with a clear intraocular lens, or IOL. By removing the lens, patients are able to regain clear vision that was previously lost to cataracts.

There are different kinds of IOLs available, and IOL technology is continuously advancing. It’s important to learn about your options and how they could impact your vision. If you are interested in reducing your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, you should be prepared to discuss advanced IOL technology with your eye surgeon.

Some of the IOL options available at our Houston eye clinic include:

Monofocal IOLs: If you don’t mind wearing reading glasses after having cataract surgery, monofocal IOLs may be appropriate. These are the standard lenses used during cataract surgery. Monofocal IOLs have a fixed focus set for only one distance, either for near, intermediate, or distance vision.

Glasses or contact lenses become necessary if the wearer wants to see at another distance instead of the one fixed focus.

Extended Depth of Focus IOLs: EDOF IOLs, such as the TECNIS® Symfony, provide a full range of vision from distance up to about an arm’s length away (and sometimes closer)! These allow patients to have good distance, intermediate, and ‘computer’ vision without depending on visual aids.

Multifocal IOLs: These IOLs are considered a premium lens option, providing both distance and near focus at the same time. Multifocal IOLs have different zones that are set at different powers. This allows the individual to see clearly at multiple ranges. Diagnostic Eye Center is pleased to offer patients the PanOptix®, Vivity, and Synergy Trifocal IOLs, which are revolutionizing patient options for intraocular lenses after cataract surgery.

Toric IOLs: For patients with astigmatism, toric IOLs are an excellent option. Toric IOLs are the only IOL specifically designed for those with astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens is unevenly curved, which leads to blurry vision. Toric IOLs are designed to correct astigmatism and provide patients with clearer vision.

The best thing you can do if you are looking at IOLs is to talk to your eye doctor. Our cataract surgeons, Dr.  Marc Sanders and Dr. Andrew Salem will assess your visual needs and help you choose the best intraocular lens for your vision.

Find someone who can drive you to and from your procedure

After scheduling your cataract surgery, we ask that patients find a family member or friend who can stay at the surgery center while the procedure is being performed and who can drive you home afterward.

Diagnostic Eye Center’s surgeons perform cataract surgery as an outpatient procedure, which takes between ten and fifteen minutes. Prior to the procedure, we provide our patients with oral or IV sedation, as well as numbing eye drops.

Because of this, we ask that patients coordinate transportation prior to their procedure, helping to ensure that the day goes as smoothly as possible!

Most patients are able to resume operating a vehicle 24 hours following their procedure. Your eye doctor will evaluate your eyes during your next-day appointment and help determine whether it is safe for you to drive.

Pick out a comfortable outfit for the day of your procedure

We encourage our patients to pick out an outfit prior to cataract surgery that will help make sure you are comfortable before, during, and after your procedure.

You will be required to wear an eye shield after your cataract surgery, which means you should avoid wearing clothes that are difficult to pull over your head. Concentrate on selecting clothes that are easy to remove. Sweats, leggings, or a light sweatshirt would be great options for the day of cataract surgery.

After any procedure, it’s normal to feel tired. You may want to go straight to bed after getting home. Wearing clothing that is comfortable to nap in will make resting after your procedure that much easier.

It’s most important to be comfortable, especially when you start your recovery period.

Have realistic expectations for the results of your procedure

When you have your cataract screening, this is the perfect time to ask any questions that you may have about the procedure. Your cataract screening is the place where you will build a trusting relationship with your surgeon.

It is also helpful to have a thorough understanding of your IOL options. At Diagnostic Eye Center, we will walk you through the various options available at our Houston office, their benefits, and implications. Different IOL options will provide varying degrees of visual freedom following your cataract procedure, and knowing what to expect for results is extremely important!

Make sure you have a clear understanding of the recovery process as well. Your eye surgeon will help review the cataract surgery recovery process with you, but if you have any questions regarding specific activities following your procedure, do not hesitate to ask!

You may want to ask a friend to come over and help with any chores as your eye heals and your vision is stabilizing. Above all else, know that you will have clear vision once more after cataract surgery!

Ready to find out if it’s time for you to have cataract surgery? Try our three-minute cataract evaluation, or schedule an appointment at Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston, TX today!

If you feel you may have cataracts or have already been diagnosed with cataracts, it is helpful to understand how to prepare for cataract surgery and the choices now available to you.

What to expect during your cataract evaluation

During your cataract evaluation, your eyes will be examined by a doctor. This is to assess the overall health of your eye. Should you be diagnosed with cataracts during that exam, you will likely meet with a patient care counselor who will talk to you about what to expect before during and after cataract surgery.

What happens duringcataractsurgery?

Cataract surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. This surgery involves creating a very small opening through which the natural lens of your eye (which has become yellow and hardened) is removed. Once that lens is removed, it is replaced with a new artificial lens.

The surgical treatment for cataracts has dramatically evolved over the years. Cataract surgery patients have come to expect excellent vision after surgery. Today, a process known as phacoemulsification allows the cataract to be removed through a tiny self-healing incision. Once the lens is removed, a small, foldable intraocular lens is inserted which unfolds to replace the cloudy lens. With the advancements in technology, you now have a choice of what type of lens can be used; either a basic lens or an advanced technology lens. Your doctor will discuss with you which lens option will best match your visual demands and lifestyle.

Which cataract lensis right for you?

Previous cataract surgery technologies provided only one focal point: e.g. distance vision; leaving people dependent upon reading glasses or bifocals. Recent advancements in lens technology now make it possible for you to read the words on prescription bottles, magazines, newspapers and computer screens without reading glasses or bifocals while still seeing objects clearly at a distance.

These lenses are not for everyone and some additional testing is necessary to determine if you are a candidate for advanced technology lenses. Most patients who have chosen advanced technology intraocular lenses are very happy with the results.

Cataract surgery and insurance

Most insurance policies will cover a basic (monofocal) lens that will provide good vision at one distance (typically with the need for glasses), provided there are no other problems with the health of your eye. If you used corrective lenses prior to cataract surgery, you may need some type of corrective lenses after surgery as well.

You can expect that your insurance or health care plan will pay for the outpatient surgery center fee, the cost of anesthesia, as well as the surgeon fee for cataract surgery, less any deductible or co-pay requirements. If, during your cataract surgery evaluation, your doctor determines you are a candidate for some of the advanced treatment options that increase the likelihood that you may not have to wear glasses regularly, these options will be reviewed with you.

Note: The advanced vision treatment options available to you are not covered by insurance.

It will be important for you to ask questions and address your concerns about the surgery during your initial evaluation and counseling.

Additional evaluation by your primary care physician

You will likely also visit your primary care physician to ensure your general health is good and you are medically fit for surgery. Your primary care physician may test you for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health issues that can adversely affect the surgery, your recovery, or require additional precautions.

How to prepare: One week before cataract surgery

About one week before cataract surgery, you will have an appointment with your eye doctor to perform a few tests. These tests are painless and allow the doctor to determine which lens implant to use during your surgery.

At this time, you normally make appointments for follow-up visits and you’ll want to make specific plans for the day of the surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself home from the procedure, so arrange a ride with a friend or family member ahead of time.

Most patients are able to return to normal activities within 48 hours of surgery, but those first hours can be tricky as your eyes adjust. If you or your loved one lives alone, it is highly recommended to plan for someone to help out with chores and to be on call for additional help.

How to prepare: thenight before cataract surgery

Your eye care provider may give you eye drops or medication to take the evening before the surgery. Make certain you follow those instructions precisely. You will also need to abstain from alcohol the night before your cataract surgery.

Make sure your eye care provider knows if you take other medications regularly as certain medications may need to be taken differently. Do not eat or drink past midnight (unless otherwise instructed by your doctor), and try to get a good night’s rest. If you are stressed or worried about the procedure, talk to your eye care provider and primary care physician about options available to help you relax this night.

How to prepare:theday of cataract surgery

Do not eat or drink anything on the morning of your cataract surgery. Dress in comfortable clothing and do not wear makeup, cosmetics, perfume or cologne to the surgical center. Aim to arrive about 30 minutes early in case you have any last-minute paperwork to fill out or questions to discuss.

If it’s possible, see if your ride home will wait for you so you will not have to call him or her after the procedure.

At the surgery center, you will be given the basics of recovery and you can ask any questions you may have. Do not be afraid to ask anything. After all the preparations are complete, the actual procedure is surprisingly fast. In many cases, you will be out of the office and on your way home within two hours.

At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, a leader in ophthalmology in Arizona, we strive to make the process as simple, straightforward, and pleasant as possible. We strive to help our patients achieve their visual goals. If you have other questions about how to prepare for cataract surgery, please feel free to give us a call today.