What happens on the day of cataract surgery?

The day of your cataract surgery, you will be at the surgery center for about 2.5 hours. Here is what happens, step-by-step:

1. 1. 

      Registration – Check in at the front desk. The receptionist will review your demographic information and collect any out-of-pocket expenses owed per your insurance company. They will also verify that you have a ride home from surgery.

   2. Prep for surgery – Once you are brought back from the waiting room, you will change into a hospital gown. You will talk to the Anesthesiologist and your Cataract surgeon prior to surgery. You will be given eye drops and then will be administered Anesthesia.
   3. Surgery – During the surgery you will be awake, but you will be under the effect of anesthesia, so you will not remember the procedure. Because you will be given anesthesia, you will be required to fast starting at midnight the night before your surgery. Sometimes this type of anaesthesia is described as being in a “twilight”. The surgery takes 8-15 minutes to complete.

      

   4. Post Surgery – After the surgery you are taken to the recovery room. You will be here for up to an hour as you come down from the anesthesia. The nurses will then ensure that your driver is present, and you will then be allowed to leave with your driver. Your surgeon will tape a clear shield over the operative eye when you leave the surgery center. This shield can be taken off when you get home, but you will be asked to tape it back over your eye if you take a nap and when you sleep the night following surgery.