PreOp Patient Education
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Audio Presentation

Cataract

Small Incision


Recovery
  Your Body
  Alternatives
  Medical Record
  Anesthesia
  Before Surgery
  Your Procedure
  Recovery
This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Following the procedure, you'll be moved then to a recovery area where you can relax until the sedation and anesthetic has worn off - and until the doctor is satisfied that you are fit to go home. Plan on spending several hours in recovery. Your doctor may be able to give you a more precise estimate prior to surgery.

Before you leave, you'll probably be prescribed a pain killer along with any other medication your doctor feels you need to take.

Most patients experience at least some pain following surgery, but if properly handled, it shouldn't present any serious problems.
Most patients experience at least some pain following surgery, but if properly handled, it shouldn't present any serious problems.
Pain used to be regarded as an unavoidable side effect of surgery, but today pain can be managed with great effectiveness.
Pain used to be regarded as an unavoidable side effect of surgery, but today pain can be managed with great effectiveness.
And as the patient, you have an important role to play.
And as the patient, you have an important role to play.
Before surgery, be sure to ask the medical staff about the type and duration of pain normally associated with your surgery.
Before surgery, be sure to ask the medical staff about the type and duration of pain normally associated with your surgery.
Find out, in advance, about your pain management options. Work with the staff to develop a pain management plan. Discuss your options. There are alternatives to drugs that can lessen your need for pain medication.
Find out, in advance, about your pain management options. Work with the staff to develop a pain management plan. Discuss your options. There are alternatives to drugs that can lessen your need for pain medication.
Ask your doctor for help finding a pain management class. Many of these workshops teach helpful relaxation techniques, positive thinking and nerve stimulation exercises.
Ask your doctor for help finding a pain management class. Many of these workshops teach helpful relaxation techniques, positive thinking and nerve stimulation exercises.
Following surgery, make sure to let your nurse know right away how you're feeling and whether or not you are in any pain. Be specific, and help them to measure your discomfort.
Following surgery, make sure to let your nurse know right away how you're feeling and whether or not you are in any pain. Be specific, and help them to measure your discomfort.
If you're having trouble expressing yourself, try to rank what you're feeling on a scale from 1 to 10.
If you're having trouble expressing yourself, try to rank what you're feeling on a scale from 1 to 10.
Never be shy about asking for help. If you experience pain that just won't go away, report it to the nurse.
Never be shy about asking for help. If you experience pain that just won't go away, report it to the nurse.
Pain is an important indicator that helps you and your medical staff understand your body's healing process...
Pain is an important indicator that helps you and your medical staff understand your body's healing process...
Eye surgery only rarely leads to complications. There are three main risks.
Eye surgery only rarely leads to complications. There are three main risks.
In a very small number of cases, follow up surgery may be required to fine-tune the procedure.
In a very small number of cases, follow up surgery may be required to fine-tune the procedure.
This may mean repositioning the lens...
This may mean repositioning the lens...
... or adding a suture to the incision to insure proper healing.
... or adding a suture to the incision to insure proper healing.
The second potential complication is an increase in pressure within the eye .
The second potential complication is an increase in pressure within the eye .

A mild rise in pressure is treated with observation, more rises in pressure may lead the doctor to take steps to reduce pressure. Left untreated, this increase in pressure could lead to loss in vision.

During healing, the capsule that contains the lens can thicken and become slightly cloudy. The change is usually minor and in many cases can be corrected with a simple procedure.
During healing, the capsule that contains the lens can thicken and become slightly cloudy. The change is usually minor and in many cases can be corrected with a simple procedure.

Finally, in extremely rare cases, patients can suffer double vision, cornea problems, severe bleeding or loss of vision.

Because most procedures do not require stitches, you'll be instructed not to rub or touch the eye. At home, you'll be responsible for keeping the eye elevated in order to help the healing process. Sleep with your head elevated by two pillows, don't lie flat, strain, or engage in any vigorous physical exercise. These can all raise pressure inside the eye and put stress on the incision.
Because most procedures do not require stitches, you'll be instructed not to rub or touch the eye. At home, you'll be responsible for keeping the eye elevated in order to help the healing process. Sleep with your head elevated by two pillows, don't lie flat, strain, or engage in any vigorous physical exercise. These can all raise pressure inside the eye and put stress on the incision.

You'll probably experience some pain or inflammation during recovery and your doctor will probably prescribe a mild pain killer and eye drops.

Your doctor may advise you to be on the alert for other symptoms as well. If you experience any unusual symptoms, report them to your doctor right away.

You'll be able to help your body's healing process by carefully following your physician's advice.

Before you leave, you'll be given discharge guidelines which may include diet, medication, work and other activity restrictions.

You'll also make at least one follow-up appointment so that the doctor will be able to check the healing of the incision and/or to remove sutures.
You'll also make at least one follow-up appointment so that the doctor will be able to check the healing of the incision and/or to remove sutures.

This program has been designed to help you to understand a surgical procedure and to empower you to be an active participant in your own care. We hope that you take the time to discuss alternative treatments with your doctor and that you learn as much as you can about your own particular medical situation.

We also want to make sure that you understand all the risks of surgery and potential complications which can follow - no matter how unlikely they may be.

It's important that you understand exactly what the procedure entails - including the risks, benefits and alternative treatments - before you decide to proceed.

Always remember that the final decision to go ahead or not is up to you.


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