Vision is a
precious commodity. God gave us one pair of eyes and we need to take good care
of them since we cannot navigate without them.
When our
vision is blurry, the lens in our eyes get cloudy; hence, cataracts begin to form
and need to be removed at some point.
While cataracts
are more dominant in older people or as I prefer to say “aging teenagers”,
people in their 40’s and 50’s also have cataract surgery.
I recently
had cataract surgery in both eyes. My vision was blurry. I also had a damaged
optic nerve, plus borderline glaucoma since my eye pressure was 28 and the
accepted pressure is 16 or lower.
Before
Cataract Surgery
You will be
given an eye exam by your ophthalmologist and measured for lens.
You will be
given a date for the surgery and three weeks prior to the cataract surgery, the
ophthalmologist or, as I (old school) prefer to say eye-doctor sends Presurgical
paperwork to your physician for specific blood work. An EKG is also required.
You will
receive a call from the hospital indicating the time and location of the
surgery. Leave all jewelry at home, including dentures. No eating or drinking
after midnight. I am certain you are familiar with this drill.
The Day of
the Surgery – Left Eye
Arrive at
least 30 minutes ahead since you need to be admitted as an outpatient. Bring
Health Insurance Card and I.D. (Driver’s License is fine).
Bring
someone with you since you will not be able to drive for 24 hours.
Once you are
admitted and directed to the surgical area, you will be greeted by a team of
RN’s (Registered Nurses) where you will be given a bag for your clothes and
have you change into a dressing gown and get into bed. You will be given a few
rounds of eye drops to numb the eye as well an eye antibiotic.
Once the
drops have taken effect or, as we say, ‘kicked-in', you will be taken to the
surgical holding area where you will be given an IV which includes anesthesia plus
a very mild sedative to calm you. When ready, you will be transported into the
operation room.
You are awake
throughout the procedure. Not to worry, your eye is numb and you do not feel
anything, I promise.
The entire
process takes about 15 minutes and the eye-doctor is talking to you and describing
the removal of the old lens and insertion of the new lens step-by-step.
A transparent
shield will be taped over the eye to keep it free from dust and water. You must
keep the shield on for the entire day and overnight then dispose of it the
following morning. I removed the tape from the top to administer eye-drops,
then re-taped it. You can also remove the tape completed and add fresh tape
after administering the eye-drops.
After surgery
you are transported back to the Recovery Area to rest. You will be offered a
cup of coffee and some cookies.
The RN will
sit with you and review the sample eye-medications to be taken when you get home.
You will have a kit which includes the eye-drops, extra tape, plus Discharge Instructions which includes the do’s and don’ts for post-surgery.
Above - the day of cataract surgery instructions. What to do when you arrive home.
Above - the day of cataract surgery instructions. What to do when you arrive home.
Above - How to apply eye-drops for each day of the week post cataract surgery.
Depending on
the eye-doctor; some doctors see their patient in their office a few hours
post-surgery, just to check the results. I was asked to see my eye-doctor the next
day.
For the Ladies
If you are
like me, I go nowhere without makeup. Unfortunately, while the eye is healing,
absolutely no makeup for one week, albeit the instructions do say light makeup
after 48 hours – better safe than sorry.
Feel free to apply eye makeup between surgeries. One week after the left eye is healing and before the right eye has surgery.
Most importantly, ,when you do resume your eye makeup routine, purchase fresh eyeshadow and
brushes. Who woulda thunk, right? The eye is vulnerable to bacteria and dirt so
you want to begin fresh with everything.
I purchased my
favorite eye shadow and new brushes weeks before I had the surgery.
Three weeks
Later – Right Eye
Okay, Round
Two –
The same
drill applies. Except this time in the Operating Room, your left eye will be covered so that it is not exposed to the light.
After surgery, your right
eye will have a shield placed over it for the day and overnight. You will start
eye-drops for that eye as well. The entire eye-drop regiment lasts for two months;
four weeks per eye.
You now have
new lens or medically described as implants. Everything looks sharper and colors
look brighter.
Depending on your situation, you may or may not require prescription glasses for reading, driving, etc.
Your eyes
are the windows of your soul. Take care of them and God bless!
I agree with a lot of the points you made in this article. If you are looking for the Optometrist Surrey, then visit Eye Zone Optometry. I appreciate the work you have put into this and hope you continue writing on this subject.
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