Did you find out that you need to have cataract surgery? You may have questions or concerns about what to expect.
The good news is that cataract surgery is an incredibly common surgical procedure that produces consistent results. Keep reading for 6 tips to have your best cataract surgery experience!
1. Ask your surgeon questions ahead of time
With any surgery, you should ask any questions you have. Your surgeon is an expert and should be able to answer any questions you have.
The number one thing is that you’re comfortable before undergoing cataract surgery, after all. Not sure what to expect?
Don’t know what kind of IOL you should choose? These are only a few of the questions you should be asking!
An easy way to remember questions before your cataract screening at Herschel LASIK and Cataract Institute is to write them down. You may want to leave a pad of paper on the nightstand next to your bed.
This will let you jot down any questions that may come to you before bed or when you get up in the morning! The night before your cataract screening, all you’ll have to do is put the pad of paper in your purse or bag.
2. Start hydrating more in the weeks before having cataract surgery
Before any surgical procedure, you should try to increase your water intake levels. The human body is made up of over 60% water, so it’s important to stay hydrated.
When it comes to a procedure like cataract surgery, drinking more water has other advantages as well. One of them is that staying hydrated can help with healing and symptoms of dry eye syndrome as you recover.
Drinking more water can be especially helpful if you already struggle with dry eyes before having cataract surgery. Even if you don’t have dry eye syndrome, drinking more water is never a bad thing before having any procedure!
3. Find a friend or family member that can drive you home
Even if you think you feel fine after cataract surgery, you are not allowed to drive yourself home. To make sure you’re not freaking out at the last minute, find a friend or family member that can drive you home ahead of time.
They will need to drive you to your procedure and then drive you home after. They may want to simply stay with you so they don’t have to leave and then come back.
You may also want to ask them to drive you to your follow-up appointment the next day. Most patients are cleared to drive after this appointment but your eye doctor will let you know when it’s safe for you to drive again.
4. Research intraocular lens options before your cataract screening
One of the most important parts of having cataract surgery is choosing an IOL. An IOL or intraocular lens is an artificial lens that replaces the natural lens.
The lens must be replaced because this is where cataracts develop. Without a lens, you would not be able to see clearly.
There are many different kinds of IOLs available, depending on your lifestyle, budgetary needs, and visual expectations. Your eye doctor will make a recommendation on what IOL they think will be best for you, but you should have at least a basic understanding of what IOLs are available.
Do this research ahead of time. Don’t wait until the day before your cataract screening, because it can be a bit of an overwhelming decision to make so quickly!
You may also want to call your insurance company to get a better understanding of what they will and will not cover when you have cataract surgery. The last thing you would want is for anything to be a surprise after you have the procedure, especially the cost!
5. Consider freezing some meals before your procedure
Recovering from cataract surgery is not difficult, but it never hurts to be extra prepared! Why not make things easier for yourself by freezing some meals ahead of time?
How long it takes to recover from cataract surgery can vary from patient to patient, but it usually takes about three months. During the first few days to a week of your recovery, you probably won’t want to cook.
You may be more tired than normal, and your vision may be slightly unstable as your eyes get used to the new intraocular lens. Wouldn’t it be so much more convenient if you already had a few week’s worth of dinners frozen in your freezer waiting for you?
You can also tell friends and family that you’re having cataract surgery and see if they may want to make some casseroles or easy to heat up meals for you. With a little extra planning, recovering from cataract surgery can be a piece of cake!
6. Go to bed early the night before you have cataract surgery
If you’re nervous about having cataract surgery, it’s understandable. But what you shouldn’t do the night before your procedure is toss and turn for hours.
The best thing you can do is go to bed early. Getting enough sleep will ensure that your body is as ready as it can be to have surgery.
Like any surgery, there are risks with cataract surgery, so being well-rested is a good idea. If you’re alert and awake, you’ll have a much better understanding of what to expect once you have the procedure and how to follow all instructions from your surgeon as you recover.
Make sure you read any and all pamphlets so you feel confident and ready to have cataract surgery. You should also have already filled any prescriptions for medications including eye drops from your eye doctor.
These are not tasks that you should be trying to get done on the day of your procedure. Have a comfortable outfit laid out and ready to go so all you have to do when you wake up is put it on and go. The less stress you have to deal with on the day you have cataract surgery, the better!
Think that you may need cataract surgery? Schedule your cataract screening at Herschel LASIK and Cataract Institute in Orlando, FL! Cataracts may be frustrating, but you don’t have to live with them forever!
