Preparation and planning

Lending A Helping Hand To Your Loved One After The Cataract Surgery

The first thing that the patient undergoing the cataract surgery process will need is someone who can accompany him to the hospital for eye check-up and bring him back home. The patient also needs someone’s assistance at home for a period of time till he recovers after the surgery. From pre-surgery period to post-surgery period, family members will have many responsibilities for the patient.

Presurgery Responsibilities

• Make time to understand the pain and anguish of the patient.
• Take time off from work to assist the patient at home
• Pick-up and assist in applying eye drops and medicines.
• To accompany the patient in the hospital for eye checkup and surgery.
• To be the helping hand of the patient during the period of check-up and treatment in the hospital.

Post Surgery Responsibilities

• Carefully taking patient home from the hospital when the patient is discharged after surgery
• Before leaving for home, to meet the doctor and get detailed information about the patient’s eye condition and know about the post-surgery care
• Purchase medicines and eyeglasses prescribed for the patient from the hospital before leaving for home
• Helping the patient at home in applying eye drops and taking medicines prescribed
• Helping the patient in daily household and personal chores
• Take special care of all the patient’s activities and prevent the patient from doing the forbidden tasks.
• Bringing the patient back to the hospital for follow-up checkup of the operated eye after a few days.

1. Any medications your doctor may prescribe you.
2. Your doctor will give instructions on how to care of your operated eye.
3. The doctor will suggest a date for a follow-up eye check-up.
4. The doctor will examine your operated eye before you are discharged from the hospital
5. Everyone’s eyes conditions are different, and the doctor advises accordingly.
6. The doctor will advise what activities will be safe after the surgery and what not.

1. Familiarize yourself with cataracts and other eye conditions, like Astigmatism, Presbyopia, etc.
2. Learn about other symptoms you could be experiencing as well, and when you might be ready for surgery.
3. Get to know your lens replacement options once you are aware of your eye condition and your vision needs.
4. Learn about the options available for cataract surgery process. Get an understanding about surgery options to choose between SICS (done by a small incision) surgery or PHACO (modern machine-oriented procedure) surgery.
5. Consult with the doctor and get your eyes examined by the doctor to know about the condition of your eyes and the treatment procedure.
6. Discuss with the doctor about the available lens options and type of surgery (PHACO or SICS) best suited for you.
7. Discuss the cost of surgery package including the lens which have been suggested by the doctor so that you can take a decision. Also learn about payment options available.
8. Ensure a time when you can really focus on healing. While this is a simple and safe procedure, but you will need some time to recover.
9. Decide on how many days you want to take leave from work and there will be someone at home to help you. On an average, it takes a week after the surgery to get back to work. It may vary depending on the eye condition of the patient.
10. Considering the above points, discuss with the doctor to decide on a date for the surgery.
11. Gather all documents that your doctor has asked you to bring on the day of surgery such as Fitness Certificate (if it has been asked for), Blood Sugar or Blood Pressure reports, etc.
12. Take limited food in the night before the surgery and go to bed early so that you get up early next day and reach the hospital in the morning by scheduled time.