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Surgery Instructions

PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
FIXING THE DATE OF YOUR EYE SURGERY

All eye surgeries including cataract, retinal etc are day care eye surgeries NOT requiring overnight stay in our hospital.
Outstation patients or those with special requirments can be provided one day free-of-charge stay at our hospital if needed.

COMMON PRE OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Patient must have a light breakfast in the morning.
2. The patient should take a head bath in the morning of the day of surgery or a night before.
3. A responsible relative or attendant must accompany the patient for surgery.
4. The patient must bring along all his reports and prescribed list of current medications including any other medication which the patient is taking.
5. If the patient is taking any medication for high blood pressure, cardiac problems, asthma, or medicines like anticonvulsants etc, the patient must take this medication with a few sips of water even if asked to come fasting.
6. Injection insulin or other tablets for DIABETES (sugar) are normally to be taken just after the surgery with meals.
   Start the antibiotic tablets and dilating eye drops as per the prescription given to you by the nurse / doctor.

FOR G6PD patients:
Patients must bring this condition to the notice of the doctor before starting any per operative medications.

FOR GLAUCOMA SURGERY:
Do NOT use the dilating eye drops

FOR RETINAL / SQUINT SURGERY IF UNDER G.A. (General Anasthesia)
Fasting time should be 12 hours prior to time of surgery. Patient must not have any solid or liquids in this period except few sips of water to take any medications for high blood pressure, cardiac problems, asthma etc.

FOR THOSE ON ANTICOAGULANT TREATMENT
If you are using any anti coagulants like aspirin, Ecosprin, Loprin etc - Stop it 72 hours before the date of surgery.
If using long acting anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Clopidogrel etc - Stop the tablets 7 days earlier. The same can be restarted the day after your surgery.

If you have any further queries please call the hospital and speak to the Nurse for clarifications.

ACTIVITIES TO BE EXPECTED AFTER SURGERY

1. After the surgery you will be seen by the doctor and may go home shortly thereafter. You must not drive yourself home! Please make arrangements beforehand for a ride.
2. The day of surgery you should plan to take it easy. Generally there is very little if any discomfort following surgery. If you do experience some mild pain, you may take the pain killers prescribed.
3. Your eye will be patched after surgery. You will receive specific instructions at the end of surgery before your leave the hospital. The dark glasses/Protective glasses should be worn one the eye-pad is removed, generally in the same evening of the surgery. It is advised to wear protective glasses even at night and in bed for the first 2 days after surgery. This is to prevent accidential rubbing of the eye.

You will be informed of all post operative care and instructions by the Nurse at time of discharge along with the discharge summary and list of post-op medicines.

Improvement in vision is gradual. Glasses are generally prescribed within 1-3 weeks of surgery as per the healing. These glasses may need to be adjusted later as your eye continues to heal.

ANY INCREASE IN REDNESS OR PAIN OR SUDDEN DECREASE IN VISION NEEDS AN URGENT CHECK-UP WITH THE DOCTOR. This may be a sign of serious infection in the eye.

SPECIFIC POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:

CLEANING YOUR EYE:-

For the first week following surgery you should protect the eye from injury. Do not rub or put pressure on the eye.

• Take small pieces of cotton wool and place them in a bowl containing water. Boil for 15 minutes and keep the bowl covered. Wash your hands with soap. Take a small piece of the sterilized cotton wool from the bowl. Squeeze out the excess water. Clean the discharge around the upper and lower lids without applying pressure on the eye. This is generally needed in the morning as long as the ointment is being used at bed time. Fresh cotton is to be boiled twice a day if needed.
  

PUTTING EYE DROPS:-

• Never use a pin/needle to open the eye drop bottle. Screw on the cap tight to open it.
• Retract the lower lid and instill one drop of the prescribed eye drop into the eye. Eye drops should be used as per the prescription. Only 1 drop at a time is enough.
• Keep both eyes closed for atleast 10 minutes after each eye drop.
  

PROTECTING YOUR EYES:-

• Put on dark glasses throughout the day for one week.
• Wipe tears below the margin of the dark glasses. Do not touch the eye.
• Do not place cotton wool between the glasses and the eye.
• Do not sleep on the operated side for 2 days.
• For the first 5 days from the time of operation, take a bath below the neck. Face and hair can be washed after 5 days. But avoid getting water inside the eye.

ACTIVITIES:-

• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Do not lift any objects heavier than 10 kg for about 5 days after the surgery
• You may start reading and watching TV after 2 days. Take rest frequently with both eyes closed.
• Many people return to light work immediately after surgery, but please discuss your needs with your doctor during your post operative visit (next day).
• Ask your doctor about any specific activities you may have in mind as in leaving town, driving, yoga, walks, gym etc.

FOLLOW UP VISITS:

Please come for a post operative check up as advised upon discharge. Generally the next day, one week and one month post-op.
As a routine all operated eyes should be checked once every six months even if you have no problem.

If you have any further questions regarding your surgery or post operative treatment kindly speak to the Nurse who will coordinate with your doctor to answer your queries.