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Patient information

Cataract Surgery

The cloudy natural lens is replaced with a clear lens implant, as an outpatient, usually in under half an hour.

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A cloudy natural lens behind the iris, and the thin clear lens implant that replaces it in the same capsule.

Before

  • The eye is measured to choose the power of the lens implant. Contact lenses may need to stay out for some days first.
  • Choose the kind of implant with your surgeon: it decides what you will see without glasses.
  • Tell the team about tamsulosin (Flomax) or similar medicines, blood thinners (usually continued; confirm first), diabetes and allergies.
  • Fill your drop prescriptions early, and arrange a driver.

The day of surgery

  • Follow the eating and drinking instructions. Take your usual medicines unless told otherwise.
  • Expect two to three hours at the center. The eye is numbed and you are given light sedation; the operation takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
  • You go home with a shield over the eye.

The first weeks

  • A check the next day or within a few days.
  • Use the drops exactly as prescribed. A typical plan is an antibiotic for a week and a steroid and an anti-inflammatory for about four weeks.
  • Wear the shield at night for about a week. Do not rub the eye.
  • No heavy lifting or bending with your head down for the first week; no swimming or hot tubs for two weeks. Showering is fine; keep soap out of the eye.
  • Reading and screens are fine. Drive once your vision allows and your surgeon agrees.
  • Glasses are usually checked about four weeks after surgery.

Normal: a scratchy feeling, mild ache, light sensitivity, a red patch on the white of the eye, colors looking brighter.

Call the same day if

  • Vision gets worse after it had started to improve
  • Pain is increasing or severe
  • Redness increases, or there is discharge
  • You see many new floaters, flashes, or a curtain over your vision