Getting Ready for Cataract Surgery

When your parents had cataract surgery, it was a big deal; they had to undergo a major procedure, and there were lots of potential risks involved. Now, cataract surgery is easier than ever before. The low-risk procedure takes less than an hour and restores vision almost immediately. Still, you do need to do a few things to get ready before you head to a Glendale, Arizona cataract surgeon for the procedure.

Undergo Some Tests

Your cataract surgeon needs to measure your eyes before removing your cataracts. The surgeon will use an ultrasound test to get the measurements approximately a week prior to the surgery. That way, the surgery will go off without a hitch.

Take Antibiotic Eyedrops

Cataract surgery can cause an infection if your eye isn’t properly treated beforehand. Your surgeon will prescribe antibiotic eyedrops that you will take before the surgery. This will greatly reduce your risk of infection so you can have a successful surgery.

Check Your Medications

Before you undergo surgery, your Scottsdale surgeon will ask for a list of your medications. Some of your medicines might interfere with your surgery, so you might have to go off them for a week or two prior to the procedure. Then, after your surgery is complete, you can start taking your medications once again.

Arrange for a Ride

Even though this is a simple outpatient procedure, you will not be allowed to drive afterward, so you will need to arrange for a ride prior to your surgery: Someone will need to go to the procedure with you and take you home. The person who drives you home will also need to sign your discharge papers, so make sure it is someone you can trust. You don’t want to choose someone who you don’t feel comfortable with, as this person will go back with you after the procedure.

Follow Fasting Instructions

Many surgeons require that patients stop eating and drinking 12 hours before the procedure. You will need to follow the instructions so you can get your cataracts removed without any issues. If you fail to follow these instructions, your surgeon will likely have to reschedule your procedure.
Then, you will have to live longer with your cataracts. That is not something that you want to do so follow all of the instructions exactly as they are given.

Make Arrangements to be Down for the Day

You might have a busy life, but you need to arrange to have a day off when you have your cataracts removed. Set aside the day so you can relax without going to work or out with friends. The more you relax the day of your surgery, the easier it will be to recover.

Cataract surgery is a simple process, and you can make it even easier by preparing for it. Follow these tips and your surgery will be smooth and painless. Then, the day after surgery, your bandage will come off and the world will look bright and new. You will be amazed by how well you can see after your surgery.