Cataract surgery is a big deal! Having eye surgery will affect you for the rest of your life, so it never hurst to go in well prepared. I enjoy when patients come in prepared with specific questions about their surgery or eye condition. It signals to me that they're interested and engaged, plus I enjoy teaching the concepts to patients. Overall it strengthens the relationship and help the patient understand what to expect and anticipate along the way.
Here I'll include my recommendations of how to prepare and what to ask your Ophthalmologist when preparing for cataract or eye surgery.
Tip #1 - Why do I need surgery?
Sound simple, but it's vitally important you fully understand why surgery is recommended. Simply put: what is the problem you're faced with and how will surgery help to correct it?
Understand what alternative treatments might be available.
Tip #2 - Arrive to your appointment with questions written down.
Think about any questions or concerns you have. Use this list to guide you. Write them down and bring them into your office visit to discuss with your surgeon. This will help to avoid leaving the appointment and having that burning question finally come to mind.
Create a note in your phone to help keep the information accessible.
"What should I expect during and after surgery?"
Tip #3 - Take notes.
There's a lot of new information you'll be introduced to while discussing your surgery. Take notes about your questions, instructions for medications, and post-operative recovery to help remind you and refer back to in the future.
Tip #4 - How will surgery be performed?
In cataract surgery there's the basic operation and intraocular lens implant (IOL) that is covered by insurance. However, there are often additional options that can be included for extra cost to you, the patient. This includes astigmatism correction, premium or multifocal lens implants, and laser assisted cataract surgery. Discuss with your surgeon which options are right for you and your goals.
Tip #5 - What are the risks of surgery?
These will vary to some degree depending on the type of surgery. It's important to understand what complications you are at risk for and how that could affect you if the were to happen. Ask your surgeon what their complication rates are.
Ask if any medications you're taking may pose a risk. For example, in cataract surgery I want to know if a patient has ever taken Flomax (tamsulosin) for enlarged prostate as this can cause iris difficulties during surgery.
Tip #6 - What about anesthesia?
Understanding the type of anesthesia you'll receive will help manage your expectations for surgery and improve your comfort level during the procedure. Cataract surgery is frequently performed under topical anesthetic using numbing drops and/or gel for a pain free experience. Patients are also not usually put fully asleep under general anesthesia. Instead I.V. sedation, also known as monitored sedation, is more commonly given to help you feel comfortable and relaxed. There are other details, such as where you're having surgery than may influence this decision, which leads me to the next questions.
Tip #7 - Where will surgery take place?
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure and most frequently occurs in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). However, depending on your surgeon, you may have surgery in a hospital out patient facility or an office based setting.
Tip #8 - What should I expect after surgery?
This questions has two parts. It's good to be clear what your eye and vision will be like immediately after the procedure. After cataract surgery, expect vision to blur foggy and blurred. There's always some swelling and inflammation, as well as dilation drops and other medications that take a few days to clear.
This then leads into what to expect for the overall recovery while you're at home over the next few weeks and what eye drops you'll be using and for how long. It's best to have a clear understanding of what to anticipate with recovery.
Tip #9 - Ask about the surgeon's experience with the surgery.
It's reasonable to ask your surgeon how regularly they perform this surgery and what their success and complication rates are. Also a plan for any additional questions or problems that you may have related to surgery.
Set Yourself Up for Successful and Smooth Recovery
Use the tips and questions as a starting point to help you get the most out of your surgical experience. While there are many other questions that might be specific to you, these will help to create a solid foundation to ensure that you understand your upcoming surgery and feel prepared with what to expect throughout the process. Read more about cataracts and get the full picture!
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