The Day Of Your Surgery
Before The Surgery
- Take any prescribed heart, blood pressure and eye medication at your usual times (you can take minimal amount of water with your medications if needed, however do not eat or drink anything else).
- The morning of the surgery discontinue all eye medications in the eye that will be operated. Please continue with your regular eye medications if you are using any in the eye that is not to be operated.
- If you are taking insulin injections for diabetes, use 1⁄2 the usual amount oflong-acting insulin and do not take your short-acting insulin. Bring your insulin bottles to the surgery center.
- Bring all the eye medications prescribed to you.
- Wash your face with soap in the morning.
- Do not wear any make-up, skin creams, lotions or moisturizers.
- Wear comfortable clothing that fastens in the front. Do not wear pull over the head clothing, such as turtlenecks or t-shirts.
- Do not wear any jewelry (e.g. earrings, necklaces, or chains).
After The Surgery
- Please be aware that after your surgery your eyes will be irritated and light sensitive. Your eyes may burn, sting and tear excessively and you may feel a foreign body sensation. Do not rub your eyes. Use Tylenol to help with any pain after surgery (560-1000 mg every 4 hours as needed).
- Follow your eye medication schedule.
- If necessary, you may gently dab-dry the corner of the eyelids and lashes.
- Take it easy for a few hours. The medications used to calm you during surgery will be in your system for approxi- mately 24 hours, so you might feel tired and sleepy.
- Do not drive a car, operate machinery or power tools first 24 hours after surgery.
- Do not drink any alcoholic beverages first 24 hours after surgery.
- Do not make any important decisions, or sign important papers first 24 hours after surgery.
- Do not strain or lift any heavy objects.
- Do not shower or wash your head first 24 hours .
- Leave the protective shield in place for the first 24 hours following the surgery.
- Do not sleep with your pets in your bed for 24 hours after the procedure and use clean linens.
Your continued eye health is our number one priority. As such, we urge you to strictly adhere to our post-operative care guidelines in order to ensure the success of your procedure, preserve your vision and prevent complications.
What to expect during each stage of your recovery
Prior to surgery
Please make sure you have filled your prescribed medications before the day of your surgery, as you will need to start using them right away.
Immediately after surgery
Immediately after the surgery you will be taken into the recovery room with dark glasses on. You will be in this area for about 30 minutes to one hour to recover from the effects of the anesthesia sedation.
Discharge from the surgical center
You will be discharged ONLY when you have recovered sufficiently from the anesthetic effects and been evaluated by a physician. Home-care cataract instructions will be reviewed with you and the person assisting in your care. We suggest that someone stays with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery, but this is not necessary. You MUST have someone pick you up to drive you home after the surgery. The person can wait for you or we will call them when you are ready to go home. They must be available to pick you up when you are ready to leave the surgical center.
Your recovery period at home
- DO NOT put anything in the operated eye except the medications prescribed for you by our doctors for use after surgery.
- You should wear protective glasses for one week when you are outside. Wear the sunglasses provided, since most other varieties do not provide adequate protection (rated UV 400, or better). You can wear regular, clear glasses when you are inside. If your own glasses adversely affect the vision in your operated eye, the prescription lens can be replaced with a non-corrective lens until the eye is healed (about 4 to 3 months after surgery).
- Continue using all medications you were using in your other eye.
- Please be aware that after your surgery your eyes will be irritated and light sensitive. Your eyes may burn, sting and tear excessively and you may feel a foreign body sensation. Do not rub your eyes. Use Tylenol to help with any pain after surgery (560 – 1000 mg every 4 hours as needed).
- If necessary, you may gently dab-dry the corner of the eyelids and lashes.
- Take it easy for a few hours. The medications used to calm you during surgery will be in your system for approximately 24 hours, so you might feel tired.
For the first 24 hours after surgery, do not:
- Drive a car
- Operate machinery or power tools
- Drink any alcoholic beverages
- Make any important decisions or sign important papers
- Strain or lift heavy objects
- Shower or wash your head
- Remove the protective shield
- Sleep with pets or on unclean linens
Post-operative medication regimen
Week 1
Please allow at least 5 minutes between different types of drops.
Vigamox: Please use these drops until Thursday or discontinue using them earlier if you run out of this medication before Thursday.
Week 2
Please allow at least 5 minutes between different types of drops.
Vigamox: Please use these drops until Thursday or discontinue using them earlier if you run out of this medication before Thursday.
Week 3
Please allow at least 5 minutes between different types of drops.
Pred Forte: Please note that the number of drops starts to decrease on Monday. Please discontinue using Pred Forte on Friday.
Bromday: Please use this medication until the bottle is finished.
Follow Up Care
- Please be advised of the importance of your follow-up care.
- You are required to come in to our office (9201 Sunset Blvd Suite 709, West Hollywood) within 24 hours after your surgery for your first post-operative appointment. Follow- ing your post-operative visit there are 4 required visits with your optometrist: at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months from the surgery day.
- You may or may not see clearly right away after surgery with your operated eye. This depends on many variables, such as eye pressure, or the effect of the incision producing temporary astigmatism (astigmatism is an alteration in the curvature of the cornea). Dr. Benjamin may change your medications or your activities based on his evaluation of how your eye is healing.
- Take it easy for a few hours. The medications used to calm you during surgery will be in your system for approxi- mately 24 hours, so you might feel tired and sleepy.
- You must return to all the medications you were taking before your surgery or as prescribed by your internist or medical doctor. Please follow your eye medication regimen unless instructed otherwise.
- Rarely are stitches used, but if they are, the stitch is left in to dissolve on its own over 1-4 years. It rarely requires a removal.
- Please be advised of the importance of your follow-up care.
- You should wear protective glasses for 1 week when you are outside. Wear the sunglasses provided, since most other varieties do not provide adequate protection (rated UV 400, or better). You can wear regular, clear glasses when you are inside. If your own glasses adversely affect the vision in your operated eye, the prescription lens can be replaced with a non-corrective lens until the eye is healed (about 4 weeks to 3 months after surgery).
- The protective shield should be worn at nap time and during sleep for 1 week or 2 weeks if you sleep on your stomach. Tape the shield over the operated eye with the pointed part toward the nose.
- You may shower and wash your hair, but avoid soap and water in your eyes.
- Driving is permitted only if you can see well enough. Only you can determine you can drive safely. Start slowly as you are still adapting to your new correction.
- You may resume low-impact exercise on the 2nd post-operative day. No aerobic exercise, inverted yoga positions or weight lifting for 1 week.
- No swimming for at least 2 weeks.
- No sexual activity for 1 week.
- Do not wear mascara for 1 week after the surgery. Eye shadow can be used at anytime after the 1st post-operative day.
It is impossible to list and advise regarding every possible activity. You must evaluate those activities not listed using your own common sense. If in doubt, please call BEI at 310.507.7988.
Call Dr. Benjamin at immediately with increasing redness, pain, or worsening vision.
