Dr. Dello Russo says cataract surgery is a simple outpatient surgery, so you can dress comfortably for the procedure since you don’t need a hospital gown. He suggests having an extra t-shirt in case some fluids drip from your eyes. Leave any jewelry at home, and avoid heavy fragrances and harsh facial cleansers that morning. Before leaving for the doctor’s office, bring your health records and any additional information with you. You won’t be able to drive home after the procedure, so arrange for someone to drive you home.
Dr. Dello Russo says when you arrive for the procedure, you’ll be given anesthesia. The doctor will only correct one eye per procedure, so you’ll need to revisit the office a week later for the other eye. “Once we finish, the patient is given time to wake up from the anesthetic and is sent home shortly after and is prescribed specific eye drops to aid in the recovery process,” Dr. Dello Russo said. “Most of our patients see immediate improvement — best described as being able to see underwater — and are able to go back to work/driving the next day with little to no pain.”
He adds that at first, lights will seem really bright, but that will go away. After cataract surgery, you’ll also need to put eyedrops in your eyes for a month.