Cataract surgery is an eye surgery that removes the cloudy natural lenses causing blurry vision. An ophthalmologist replaces the lens with a clear artificial lens to enhance your sight. Here are a few useful tips to help you prepare for surgery:
Use the Prescribed Eye Drops
The ophthalmologist can prescribe dilating eye drops to take a few days before your cataract surgery. The liquid medication might reduce your risk of inflammation or infection prior to the procedure. Follow the doctor’s instructions when applying the eye drops.
Avoid Wearing Contact Lenses
You should not wear contact lenses for several weeks prior to your cataract surgery. The plastic lens can change the shape of your cornea’s surface, making it difficult to choose the right intraocular lens (IOL) for the medical procedure. They may also irritate your eyes, leading to the postponement of the surgery. You can instead wear glasses to manage your vision before the procedure.
Examine Your Eyes Before the Surgery
Pay close attention to your eyes for about several weeks before your cataract surgery. Watch out for signs like discharge, redness, and swelling because they indicate your eyes might be infected. Consult an ophthalmologist if you notice any of these symptoms — they can examine your eyes and confirm whether performing the surgery is safe.
Inform the doctor about any health issues you might have and the medication you are taking to treat them. Some drugs could affect how your body reacts to the anesthetics or sedatives you take before the procedure. The ophthalmologist might suggest you quit taking the medication for a few days or weeks before the surgery. If you have a serious complication like heart disease, your eye doctor may advise you to alter the dosage.
Avoid Wearing Cosmetics
Before the surgery, refrain from wearing body care products like creams, makeup, lotions, moisturizers, and aftershave. The ingredients in these products could infect or irritate your eyes. The night before your cataract surgery, use water and soap to wash your face. Keep your eyes as clean as possible to prevent irritants like dust particles from getting into them.
Eat the Right Diet
Don’t eat or drink anything several hours before your cataract surgery appointment. Your ophthalmologist can give you a specific timeline. You should also stop consuming alcoholic beverages like wine and beer. Alcohol can dehydrate you and cause your eyes to become drier and irritated, increasing the ocular surgery’s difficulty. Dehydration may also cause discomfort during and after the procedure. If you take sedatives or other drugs, they can react badly with alcohol and be less effective.
Choose the Best Doctor for Cataract Surgery
Preparing properly for eye surgery may minimize the risk of complications during and after the operation. Make your surgery appointment with a qualified ophthalmologist to increase the chances of this procedure’s success. They can guide you on the dos and don’ts of the surgery to restore your vision. It may take several weeks of recovery to enjoy the full benefits of the surgery. Get started finding a quality eye doctor today.