Back to Procedures and Treatments

Like any operation, small incision cataract surgery requires some preparation. Following your diagnosis, you will be given a surgery date. It is important for you to get surgical clearance from your primary care physician. We well provide the form; please have your doctor complete the physical within two weeks of your surgery.

Eye Drops
You will be asked to use antibiotic eye drops four times a day for three days before surgery. You will also use these drops following surgery, so bring them with you to the surgery center.

Medications
If you are currently taking medication for your heart or blood pressure, take it with a sip of water on the morning of surgery. If you are diabetic and taking insulin or oral medication, do not take your morning dose on the day of surgery. Bring all your mediations including your inhalers with you. If you are on blood thinners, there is usually no reason stop taking them with “no stitch, topical” cataract surgery. If you have any questions, please check with your physician.

Food and Drink
If your operation is scheduled before noon, please do not eat of drink after midnight the day before surgery. If the operation is scheduled after 12 noon, you may consume water, clear tea, black coffee, clear juices and/or dry toast before six a.m. Food and liquid in your stomach too close to surgery may result in vomiting and pneumonia. You may brush your teeth, but swallow as little liquid as possible.

Transportation
Please arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgery on the day of your procedure. You may take a taxi, but please do not use the city bus.

Pre-operative checklist

Back to Top