Nearly four million cataract surgeries are performed every single year. If you are planning on being one of those four million patients this year, it’s important to do everything you can to be prepared. Read a few of our tips below on preparing for cataract surgery.
Do your research.
First and foremost, you want to understand the procedure, how it works, and any possible complications. We recommend discussing these things with your ophthalmologist, who is the best person to answer any questions or concerns you may have about cataract surgery. You can also check out our cataract FAQs for more in-depth information on cataracts and cataract surgery.
Attend pre-surgery appointments.
You will have at least one appointment with your eye doctor before surgery. At this time, he or she will measure your eye and perform a few tests to have everything ready for surgery day. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops for you to take leading up to the surgery. Be sure to take these as prescribed.
Call your insurance company.
Don’t wait until after your procedure to find out what insurance will cover. Call your insurance provider and ask what they will cover and what the remaining cost for you will be. At Broberg Eye Care, our team will take care of contacting your insurance provider, so you can focus on preparing for surgery.
Arrange transportation for the day of surgery.
You won’t be allowed to drive yourself home from surgery, so arrange for a family member or friend to drive you to and from the hospital. Having a close friend with you before the procedure can help calm any nerves you may have. He or she should stay with you the rest of the day as you recover.
Don’t eat or drink before surgery. Your doctor will tell you how many hours before surgery you should stop eating and drinking. Additionally, make sure you take any contact lenses out before surgery, and we recommend removing any makeup as well.
Cataract surgery is a quick procedure, and you’ll be seeing clear again in no time. In the meantime, if you have any questions about how else you can prepare for cataract surgery or if you’re a good candidate for it, schedule an appointment with us today!