What to Expect

Cataract Surgery

First Process

Cataract surgery is done in our Day Hospital facility.
You will be given a specific time to arrive at the theatre reception (typically around lunchtime).
The theatre reception will complete the necessary theatre documentation and you will then be taken into the theatre complex where drops will be placed in your eyes to dilate the pupil.
Nursing staff will check very basic parameters like blood pressure and sugar levels.

Most of the cataract surgeries (>90%) are performed under conscious sedation with local anaesthesia injected around your eye.
- It is thus not necessary to be nil per mouth before surgery (NB, make sure you are not having general anaesthesia).
- This method of anaesthesia is very comfortable and is also the safest possible method.
- A qualified anaesthetist will be present throughout your surgery to make sure you are comfortable (sedated) and have no pain at any point.
- You will not see any needles coming toward your eye! You will be deeply sedated for a few seconds whilst the anaesthetist does your eye “block” or injection.

Once the anaesthesia has been administered, you will be taken into the theatre itself where the surgery is performed.
- The surgery will be painless and take around 10-15 minutes to complete.
After the operation the eye is patched closed for one night – you can leave the patch in place until your follow-up visit the next morning.
You will then be accompanied to the recovery ward where you can have a cup of tea or coffee and a sandwich.
Once you are comfortable, you will be formally discharged into the care of a relative or friend who can take you home.
- You are not allowed to drive on the day of surgery, due to the effect of sedation.

Post-operatively on the day of surgery, you can expect your forehead, scalp and cheek to often (not always) be numb and “dead,” similar to having had a dental procedure – this resolves over the first 12-24 hours.
It is normal to have a mild headache.
Your eye should typically be comfortable and not painful at any point.
- A scratchy eye is common in the first week after surgery.
- On day 1 post-op it is very common to have blurry vision and double vision from the anaesthetic injection – this resolves over 12-24 hours typically.
- Depending on several factors your eye might be red on day 1 after the surgery – this resolves in 7-10 days.
Any worsening redness and/or pain, should immediately be reported to our practice.