PATIENT INFORMATION
The following information should help you understand what to expect before, during and after your eye procedure.
ABOUT YOUR VISIT
Your surgery appointment should be a safe and comfortable experience at our state-of-the-art surgery center. We understand that eye surgery can be stressful, but preparing can help reduce the amount of anxiety you feel. Once you have a surgery appointment scheduled, you will need to complete your patient registration BEFORE you arrive. Click here to start your patient registration.
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You will receive a telephone call from one of the nurses at our surgery center prior to your appointment day. The nurse will review your health history with you and discuss any specific concerns. When you arrive, you will check in at the front desk and then a nurse will assist you to a comfortable reclining chair where you will rest. An anesthetic eye drop will be administered and you will be prepared for surgery. Your general health and vital signs will be monitored and an anesthesia provider will start appropriate sedation for your eye surgery. Sedation and topical and/or local anesthesia will be given to you to ensure your comfort before, during and after your procedure. You will be offered something to eat and drink after your surgery and a nurse will review your post-operative instructions before you go home. You can expect to be at the surgery center approximately two hours.
SURGERY DAY INSTRUCTIONS
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You will need someone to drive you to and from the surgery center.
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You will need to have a responsible adult take you home after your surgery.
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Do NOT eat after midnight the night before your surgery appointment. Do not use any type of nicotine product after midnight.
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You may drink clear liquids up to two hours before your surgery. Do NOT drink carbonated beverages, any dairy products (including cream in coffee), or alcohol past midnight the night before surgery. Do not ingest anything starting two hours prior to your surgery appointment time.
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Take a shower or a bath the night before or morning of your surgery and wash your face with antibacterial soap very well.
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Do not wear any makeup or use any other face products including: lotions, moisturizers, oils, foundations, powders, eyeliner, mascara, eyebrow pencil or eye shadow.
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Wear comfortable everyday clothing for your surgery. We suggest you wear a short-sleeve shirt that buttons or zips down the front, comfortable pants, and slip on shoes with no heels.
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Please remove all your jewelry and leave it at home. (Wedding rings are okay to leave on during surgery.)
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Take your usual medications prior to arrival at the surgery center UNLESS instructed otherwise by your doctor or a nurse at our surgery center.
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You MUST see your surgeon the day after surgery, so please plan on an appointment at your doctor's office. If you don't have one already, please call your doctor's office immediately to set one up.
- Sudden decrease of vision
- Increasing pain
- Severe deep dull pain or intense pressure around the eye
- Increasing eye redness or discomfort
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Shower of new floaters or new/increasing flashes of light
- A visual phenomenon like a veil or curtain coming across your vision
AFTER SURGERY
Be a recovery super star!
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Do NOT TOUCH OR RUB your eye for at least 7 days after surgery.
Tape your protective eye shield over your operated eye every time you sleep for seven (7) days/nights.
Do NOT drive or operate machinery until the day AFTER your surgery.
Do NOT drink alcohol until the day AFTER your surgery.
Do NOT make any important decisions or sign papers AFTER your surgery on the day of surgery.
You may wash your face and start showering/bathing 24 hours after your surgery, but keep soap and water away from your eye for 2-3 days.
You may return to work any time provided your position does not require heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity. If your position does require exertion, please discuss this with your doctor prior to surgery.
Do not lift over 25 pounds the first week after your surgery.
Do not lift over 50 pounds in the first month after your surgery.
Do NOT wear eye makeup for at least 4 days.
Avoid strenuous activities and physical exertion for the first few weeks after surgery.
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If your doctor prescribed eye medications, use them as directed.
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It is normal for you to experience mild "scratchiness" or irritation in the operated eye.
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Your vision may be blurry for the first few days after surgery.
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You may have temporary floaters (black or grey specks) in your vision for a few days after surgery.
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Your eye may appear red and/or bloodshot. This will gradually lessen as your eye heals.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are having a medical emergency. Call your doctor's office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
