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Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons, PC

Get Prepared

Preparing for Your Surgery

Being prepared allows your eye care provider to deliver the most accurate assessment and personalized care for your vision needs.

Eye Surgery Center

2222 E. Highland Avenue, Suite 101
Phoenix, AZ 85016
www.eyesurgeryaz.com

Pre-Op Guidelines

Remove your contact lenses prior to the pre-op appt according to the following schedule:

    • Regular soft lenses: Remove 1 week prior to pre-op visit
    • Soft Toric Lenses: Remove 2 weeks prior to pre-op visit
    • RGP’s: Remove 3-4 weeks prior to pre-op visit
  • The pre-op visit will take place at our regular office.
  • Make sure to bring your surgery packet with you for the pre-op visit.
  • You will be given the option to purchase your prescription drops from our office or to fill them at your pharmacy.
  • Start using the prescribed eye drops 2 days prior to surgery. Put 1 drop in the operative eye only, three times per day (morning, afternoon, and night). You will continue using these drops on the day of surgery and for the following month. Refer to the post op schedule for drop dosage after surgery.

**Do not touch the tip of the bottle with your finger or to your eyelid or eye.

    • Eating & Drinking:
      • You may eat easily digested LIGHT SOLIDS up until 7 hours prior to surgery, such as toast with jam, and transparent Jell-O (to which no fruit parts have been added). A light meal is NOT half of a regular meal.  You should not consume:  eggs, oatmeal, or pudding. Fasting is required for a minimum of 7 hours before surgery. 
      • You may consume SMALL SIPS OF CLEAR LIQUIDS up to 2 hours prior to surgery, such as: water, pulp-free juices (apple juice, cranberry juice, etc.), Gatorade, carbonated beverages, black coffee (NO CREAM), clear tea (NO MILK), clear broth. NON-CLEAR LIQUIDS should NOT be consumed day of surgery. The list of non-clear liquids includes: orange juice, V8, milk or milk products, coffee with cream, Ensure, applesauce. 
      • No dairy, alcohol, gum, candy, or smoking is allowed on the day of surgery.
    • Medication
      • Take all your regular oral medications (with a small sip of water) and eye medications as usual unless Dr. Kilpatrick tells you otherwise. You may take Rolaids, TUMS, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, or Carafate until 8 hours before surgery.  
      • Do not take a diuretic the day of surgery (Furosemide (LASIX), Hydrochlorothiazide, Spironolactone, Metolazone (Zaroxolyn), Triamterene, or water pills)  
    • Patients with Diabetes:
      • Patients with diabetes generally should not take insulin or oral hypoglycemics (diabetic pills) if they are scheduled for surgery at 10 a.m. or earlier. 
      • Insulin-dependent diabetics whose surgery is scheduled after 10 a.m. should take 1/2 (half) of their usual insulin dose. Diabetic patients on oral hypoglycemics (diabetic pills) should take their usual dose. Diabetic patients may also follow different instructions from their regular physician who is treating their diabetes. The patient may have SIPS OF CLEAR LIQUIDS containing sugar, like “Gatorade,” until 2 HOURS before surgery, or later if they are hypoglycemic.  
    • At the Surgery Center:
      • Bring your photo ID, health insurance cards, and your heath & history form to the surgery center. It is recommended to wear a button down or zip up shirt. Do Not wear any makeup.
      • You will need a driver to take you home after surgery.

Post-Op Guidelines

    • Do not stop any other regular eye drops in either eye, unless Dr. Kilpatrick directs you otherwise. 
    • If you have eye pain after surgery, take Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil or, aspirin product unless something else has been OK ‘d by Dr. Kilpatrick.  If the pain is severe, call Dr. Kilpatrick.  The office phone (480-994-1872) is answered 24-hours a day.  
    • Drops Schedule:
      • For the 1st & 2nd week after surgery: use 1 drop 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, night)
      • 3rd week: use 1 drop 2 times a day (morning & night)
      • 4th week: Use 1 drop 1 time per day
      • Stop using the drops on the 5th week.
    • If your operated eye has a patch or shield, it will be removed in the doctor’s office the day after surgery.  If the patch is causing irritation, you may gently remove it at home on the morning after surgery before your appointment. 
    • If you were given a shield, wear the shield over your operated eye whenever you sleep (at night or during naps) for one week after surgery.  (Note: Not all patients are given a shield to wear after surgery).  It is OK to sleep on the side you had surgery. 
    • You may wear your old glasses after surgery, if needed.  Even if the prescription is wrong, it will not harm the operated eye. 
    • Remember that it is common to have blurred vision for several weeks after your surgery.  New glasses will be prescribed in about 4-6 weeks.  Bifocal or progressive glasses are usually necessary. 
    • It is normal for the eye to be red for as long as 3-4 weeks after surgery. 
    • If matter builds up on your eyelashes, use a clean washcloth and warm water to gently soak the matter off.  Do not press on the eye or scrub it vigorously. 
    • It is OK to bathe, shower, or go to the beauty shop starting the day after surgery. 
    • Do not wear eye makeup for at least 2 days after surgery.
  • It is OK to watch TV, read, or otherwise use the operated eye while it heals.                             
  • Do not submerge your eye in pool, lake, or ocean water for 2 weeks.  Do not use the diving board for about 2 weeks.
  • It is OK to exercise, play golf, perform yoga, and take part in your other normal activities. 
  • Do not hang upside down for 2 weeks.  

Normal post-operative visits are no-charge for 90 days after surgery with exception of any applicable insurance co-pays. 

Frequently Asked Questions

No, cataract surgery typically does not hurt.

Your eye is numbed with drops or a local anesthetic, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. You may feel mild pressure or cool water during surgery, but it should not be painful.

After surgery, it’s normal to have mild scratchiness or discomfort for a day or two, which usually improves quickly. If you experience significant pain or a sudden decrease in vision, contact your doctor immediately.

Yes, some blurriness is normal after cataract surgery. Your eye needs time to heal and adjust, and your vision may be blurry, cloudy, or fluctuating for a few days to a few weeks.

This can happen as your eye adjusts to the new lens and any swelling resolves. Most patients notice gradual improvement each day.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • Sudden, severe vision loss

  • Increasing eye pain

  • Flashes of light or a curtain over your vision

These can be signs of complications that need prompt attention.

Yes, you can shower the day after surgery, but avoid getting water, soap, or shampoo in your eye for at least one week.

 

Always follow your surgeon’s specific instructions to protect your healing eye and reduce the risk of infection.