Cataract Surgery
Preparing for Your Cataract Procedure at MUSC Storm Eye Ambulatory Procedure Center
3 Days Before Your Surgery
To help you prepare your eyes for surgery, you will receive a prescription for eye drops. These drops will help prevent infection and aid in the healing process after surgery. Please take them as follows:
- Use 1 drop of Zymar® in the eye that will have surgery.
- Wait 5 minutes, then use 1 drop of Acular® LS.
- Repeat above steps 4 times per day at 4 hour intervals (ex. 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm).
To help prevent infection, use eyelid scrubs 2 times per day (morning and night), on the eye that will be operated on. You can buy eyelid scrub at any drugstore or you may use a warm cloth with baby shampoo instead.
The Day Before Your Surgery
- Between 2pm and 4pm on the working day before your surgery, we will call to confirm your check-in time, or you can call us at (843) 876-0116.
- To avoid nausea and vomiting, DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes gum, mints, all liquids and breakfast the day of surgery.
Surgery Day
Pre-Surgery Checklist
- Take morning medications, only if instructed to do so.
- Wear loose-fitting, short-sleeved clothing.
- DO NOT wear jewelry, nail polish or makeup.
- DO NOT bring any money or valuables with you.
- Make sure an adult driver is available to take you home following surgery and will be available for the next 24 hours.
- Bring any medications you are currently taking.
- Bring your medical insurance ID cards with you.
- Check in at MUSC Storm Eye Ambulatory Procedure Center at your scheduled time.
During Your Cataract Procedure
Most cataract surgery is performed under topical or local anesthesia (numbing eye drops).
Although you may feel some pressure during surgery, you should not experience any discomfort or pain.
If you feel any pain or become nauseated during surgery, let the physician or nurse know so that they can make you more comfortable
Following surgery, you will spend a short period of time in the recovery room, then you will be free to return home to your normal daily activities after scheduling your one-day post-operative appointment when you checkout.
What to Expect After Your Surgery
If you experience discomfort for a few days following surgery, you may take Tylenol for relief. If you are allergic to Tylenol, please take what you would normally take for a headache.
Your vision may be slightly blurred for a few days (up to a week) following surgery, as your eye recovers.
Your eye may appear slightly red; this will gradually clear the first few days after surgery.
You may also notice that your pupil (the black part of your eye) is smaller than the pupil of the other eye. This is normal. The pupil will slowly return to its normal size within the first two days after surgery.
Call MUSC Storm Eye Ambulatory Procedure Center immediately if you experience any of these symptoms after your surgery:
8am to 5 pm Monday through Friday: |
Post-Operative Appointment
Approximately 2-4 weeks after your surgery, we will check your glasses and dilate your eyes, so please arrange to have another adult available to drive you home.