Stanger Hospital Eye Care Centre.

Stanger Hospital Eye Care Centre.

CATARACT
SURGERY
YOUR
QUESTIONS
ANSWERED

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AFTER CATARACT SURGERY
You are soon to be admitted to hospital to have your cataract
removed. This booklet is designed to provide the necessary
information regarding your admission to hospital, the operation
and its aftercare.
Having a cataract removed should not disrupt your life greatly,
but some extra care is required for at least three weeks after
surgery. During this time, your eye is still fragile and could be
vulnerable to the smallest knock.(slightest injury)
We suggest, if possible that you arrange for some one to help at
home during the first 3 weeks after discharge. Overleaf are some
guidelines to help identify your limitations and understand why
these limitations are necessary.
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
The natural lens of the eye is a transparent flexible structure
suspended within the eye.
In many older people, however, and in a few younger people, the
lens gradually becomes cloudy and discolored, preventing clear
vision. This tends to become worsen, usually over a few
years .Often both eyes are affected and the patient will become
more visually handicapped. In the early stages, a change of
glasses may help, but eventually a cataract operation is needed.

PRE-OPERATIVE ASSESSMENT:
Once your name is on the waiting list for cataract surgery, you
will be called to a pre-operative assessment clinic one month
before the cataract surgery. This is to assess your fitness for
cataract surgery and any special factors that may affect the way
the operation will be done. The following tests will be conducted
before we admit you for cataract surgery.
Tests are;
• Blood sugar.
• Blood pressure.
• E.C.G for any significant heart diseases and patients who
are above 45 years and undergoing general anesthesia.
Please note that any abnormality in the above mentioned test
will delay or cancel your admission.
Therefore make sure that your blood pressure and blood sugar
is well controlled. Your blood sugar should be below 7 mmol/l
for 3 months consecutive readings. Please feel free to ask
questions and express your concerns.
HOW CATARACT SURGERY IS DONE:
The operation takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is done under
local anesthesia (the patient remaining awake throughout the
procedure). While lying on the operating tables please lie very
still and listen to the doctor’s orders to avoid complications.
(i.e. do not cough, sneeze, talk or move the head)
POST-OPERATIVE ASSESMENT AND RECOVERY:
At the end of the operation you will return to the ward and after
one hour you allowed to eat a soft diet.
Prior to going home, you will be shown how to wash your eye
and instill your eye drops. The patent is usually able to go home

next day afternoon and we would advise you to have an adult
relative or friend give you company on the first night at home.
Most patients will then notice an improvement in brightness and
color, although quite often the vision is also somewhat misty or
out of focus at first. A period of healing is then required.
Usually there is very little post operative pain, the eye may feel
bruised at first and a “gritty feeling” is common in the first few
days. Normal “over the counter” analgesics (pain killers) will
usually suffice.
The area around the eye may look bruised, and the white area of
eye may look red at first. This is not a cause for concern and will
clear up within 2 to 3 weeks.
Post operative eye drops will be supplied to you and a plastic
eye shield for use at night for three weeks following surgery.
You can return to most ordinary activities after 2 weeks,
however bending and lifting are usually not permitted.
Things you must avoid for 3 weeks ……………
1. Touching or rubbing the operated eye.
2. Heavy gardening (e.g. Digging)
3. Carrying heavy shopping bags.
4. Dusty housework.
5. Swimming and contact sports.
6. Getting soap or shampoo in the eye.
7. Driving unless you have confirmed that you are within the
legal limit to drive.
8. Traveling abroad before your 1 st follow up appointment.
When can I return to work?
This really depends on the work you do. Discuss this at your
pre-operative assessment clinic visit. Your sight will not be at its
best until your eyes are refracted for a new pair of spectacles
usually after 3 months.

Care needs to be taken when…..
• Hair washing (use shield for protection).
• Bending
• Cooking.
Things are not affected…..
• Walking
• Watching television
• Most normal daily activities
• Reading
Follow-up appointment…..
Usually your first follow-up appointment will be one week after
the surgery. Your second follow-up appointment will be three
weeks after the first follow-up. If no post–operative complication,
then you will be discharge on that day after a refraction test if
needed. If you have any problems before your follow-up
appointment then you should phone Eye clinic nurse for advice
on 032-4376188.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
All operations carry some element of risk; cataract surgery in
our Stanger hospital setup with its limitation which includes
post operative non-compliance by the patients, we find about
90% patient experience an improvement in sight, 8% end up with
the same level of sight as before, and 2% are sadly worse off
because of complications.
Some time due to unwanted post operative complications one in
100 cataract surgery patient may lose all of the sight in the eye.
Disease like diabetes, hypertension or any other pre-existing eye
diseases in addition to the cataract, can affect the final visual
outcome, as the presence of a cataract limits a full examination
of the eye before surgery.

We hope you will gain lasting benefit from your cataract
operation, and we will try to make it as “stress free” as possible.
HOW TO APPLY YOUR EYE DROPS
WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE APPLYING EYE DROPS
NEVER PUT MEDICATION BY YOURSELF,
ALWAYS ASK SOME ONE TO PUT IT IN YOUR EYE.
1. Gently pull the lower eyelid down until there is a small
pocket.
2. Squeeze the upturned dropper bottle to release a
drop into your eye. Avoid touching the tip of the
bottle against your eye.
DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES AFTER APPLYING THE DROPS.

STORAGE OF EYE DROPS AND OINTMENT
1. Store eye drops and ointments in a cool place out of
children’s reach.
2. Only store drops in the fridge if requested to do so.
3. Dispose of all opened eye drops and ointments after one
month.
4. Never share your eye drops with any one else.
Compiled by.
Dr.Chowdhury
Chief Medical Officer.
Stanger hospital eye care Centre.