Cataract Surgery Secrets

Sue and I are part of the boomer generation. We’re at the tail end of the group, so most of the events that crop up as we age have been encountered by millions of people before us. Like choosing a Medicare plan – supplemental or advantage? Which one would be best? Same thing with cataract surgery. While we didn’t expect to need this surgery now, it turns out that Sue did. Again, millions of people have this surgery every day yet there seems to be a shortage of information about the details.

Cataract Pre-Surgery

Overall details abound, and in this case, I would prefer to not know every single detail. There are videos to watch if you care to. No thank you very much! Just knowing that your lens is removed and replaced with another one is enough detail for me. However, what to expect the day before, the day of, and the day after surgery would be very helpful to know. Here is our tale of cataract surgery on the first eye. If anything changes when she has the second eye done, I will share an update.

Sue was seeing blurry and had double vision when she went to see her eye doctor. The initial visit was delayed because the doctor had some major surgery herself and was out for several months. We were so happy to connect with her, and even by the news that she had cataracts that needed surgery. At least there was a reason for the blurry and double vision! We took her recommendation for the surgeon and called for an appointment. Six weeks later (!) it was confirmed that surgery was needed in both eyes. The first date available was over two months after the first suggestion of cataracts. Patience is a virtue, I reminded myself.

Day Before Cataract Surgery

The day before the eye surgery was easy! She needed to have two different eye drops put in her eye four times per day. No problem-o. First of all, the eye drops are expensive for two wee little bottles ($75 for the two of them). Secondly, she has vision issues so how wise is it to ask her to put drops in her eye when she can’t see? Good thing she has two good friends who helped her at work and at home. The don’t eat after midnight dictum was easy to follow. I guess some people might get up and eat during the night, but we never have. Her appointment was set for 6:30 a.m. Nice and early since I was driving her and I normally get up at 4:30 a.m. for work. Needless to say, we left the house at an ungodly time and arrived 45 minutes early. We sat in the parking lot and watched people arrive in the neighboring office buildings. Her sister sent her a text with an eye-patch emoji which we both found highly amusing. When they unlocked the doors, we went inside to get the party started.

Day of Cataract Surgery

The scheduler told Sue to bring her ID, insurance card, list of prescriptions, and credit card for check-in purposes. Also, she should not wear jewelry, and she should take her prescriptions as normal except for diabetes meds because she wouldn’t be eating before the procedure. It turns out they didn’t look at her ID or the prescription list at all (they had been shared earlier anyway). She promptly handed me all of those items before being called back. While her appointment was set for 6:30 a.m. she wasn’t called back by the nurse until 6:46 a.m. I noted the time because by then we were both getting nervous about the delay. We were both happy when her name was called. Let the fun times begin!

Sue was hooked up to a heart monitor and an IV in her hand. The insertion of the IV was complicated by the lack of water she was allowed to drink. Taking meds with a small sip of water does not encourage hydration. Just like when you go for a blood test, water helps the veins plump up for the needle, so they had to try both hands for the IV. Ouch! Next, it was necessary for the first of three sets of eye drops. The drops were to dilate the pupil. While waiting for the next course of drops, they gave her a heated blanket (ahh!) and swaddled her in it. Just like our littles, she could not move! Okay. Considering they were going to be working on her eye she really didn’t want to be able to move!

During the next two (which turned out to be three) courses of eye drops, they added a pillow under her knees for comfort. Also, a shower cap-like device covered her hair and her head was taped down to the table. We imagined a big ‘ole piece of duct tape. – her head was not moving at all. Finally, another device was put over her face and the anesthesiologist stopped by to tell her he was going to administer a relaxing drug. Of course, she wasn’t able to see him . . . especially since she received one extra dose of dilation drops. Needless to say, she agreed and relaxed, and continued to wait for the doctor.

Once her doctor came in, the procedure was quick. She was awake the entire time and heard the chatter. Her doctor was surprised when she commented when he was all done. He thought she was asleep! We estimated the procedure to take only 10 minutes or less. A suture was needed which is not uncommon and will be removed at a later date (during the second eye appointment). Quick, easy, and painless – now it was time for recovery.

Home After Cataract Surgery

Just as after any surgery, they monitored her vitals and helped her to regain consciousness. At 7:57 a.m., the nurse came to the door and called my name. I had a heart attack because they had told us to expect the procedure to last two hours. Yikes! That was much quicker than planned and I equate that to being the first appointment of the day. Please bring the car around to the “patient exit” door. She closed the door so quickly that I didn’t get to ask about Sue’s coat or sunglasses. I had both of those items ready to no avail. I quickly donned my coat, sped to the car, cranked up the heat, and waited outside the appropriate door. Sue came out and she looked awful. OMG. What did they do to her? Of course, I didn’t say anything to Sue and she couldn’t see my surprised face. HAHA! She had a clear hard plastic patch over her eye taped on, and her hair was a mess. (Remember the shower cap?! Yeah.) Her eye was really dilated. She was freezing so she quickly put on her coat and I handed her the sunglasses. Next time, I’ll bring a quilt along for quick warmth. Those sunglasses are very important – be sure to bring the darkest ones you have.

The drive home was uneventful other than the traffic. Yikes! I’m glad I don’t have to drive at 8:00 a.m. every day. Her discharge instructions included resuming the eye drops at lunch, dinner, and bedtime, which we did. I fixed her some breakfast, which she ate, and then she fell asleep in the living room chair. Eventually, she moved to the couch for a good nap. There was no change in dilation at this point – she had no iris color at all and everything was blurry. The lunch drops were dispensed early since I predicted an early bedtime for her that night. While she was sleeping, I did some work and got some steps in. We had an early dinner which I picked up because I didn’t take anything out of the freezer for dinner. Let’s face it – I don’t like to cook anyway so takeout works for me! More drops were administered – they have to be given at least two minutes apart.

While administering the drops the eye patch has to be removed, obviously. She kept it off for a bit although she admitted that she had a strong urge to rub her eye. Don’t do it! So, we fussed around with the tape they sent home and got the eye patch back on. She definitely needed it on at bedtime as it was recommended that she wear it for a week after the surgery. During the night, Sue thought she could see that the clock numbers were less blurry. In the morning, her eyes were still dilated but I could see a bit of the iris. Her day-after appointment was scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Of course, we arrived at 7:30 a.m. – you never know about traffic! Sue elected to wear the patch to the follow-up appointment the day after surgery. She wasn’t called back until 8:45 a.m. as there had been an emergency. Her vision test came back better than her initial reading. Twenty-four hours seems to be the magic number for the dilation to recede. After being given the good news that the surgery was very successful and that her eyes look great, we returned home. Sue started to notice, finally, that she could see better than before the surgery. No double vision! Hallelujah! She was about to pull me to the pessimistic side if it hadn’t cleared up soon.

Days After Cataract Surgery

Since she works on a computer for her job, she was given Systane eye drops to avoid dry eyes. I use them all the time and love the results. Sue has a few more drops to add to her 4-per-day routine but dry eyes should be avoided during the healing process. Her first day of putting drops in herself meant her cheek saw more drop action than necessary. Practice! We all need practice administering drops, whether it is to ourselves or someone else. Sue saw improvement each day in the two weeks between eye surgeries.

Not addressed at all is the fact that Sue wore glasses prior to the surgery. How is she supposed to cope between surgeries in regard to glasses? Her doctor allowed Sue to wear her current prescription. We thought we needed to pop out the lens but that wasn’t necessary at this point. Some post-op blurriness is normal – don’t stress over that! It’s healing. Six weeks after her second eye surgery, Sue has a follow-up appointment for a new prescription, if necessary. For her, that works out to be the beginning of the new year. That’s the perfect time to revel in two successful eye surgeries and the possible reduction of the need for glasses. It is amazing what this surgery can achieve!

Notable Comments

Notes worth knowing:

  • Plan on meals for the surgery day
  • Surgery day means naps and no vision in the surgical eye
  • Be patient for 24 hours for the dilation to recede
  • Bring good, DARK sunglasses and a blanket for the ride home
  • Practice administering eye drops before required
  • Be prepared to feel drowsy or ‘off ‘ the next couple of days. Not awful – but not yourself

Cataract Second Surgery – Updates

The second surgery went smoothly and perhaps with less stress and worry on the patient’s end. Sue knew what was coming. She’ll probably kill me for sharing these pictures, but we’re trying to be helpful!

Pre- and post-surgery pictures tell the story. Wear something that is easy to get out of – no taking things over your head. Plan for sleep when you get home. Wear your eye patch faithfully so you don’t rub your eye. Put in the drops! They work. And do not, under any circumstances, bend over. That’s what friends and family are for. {{Hugs}}

Post Cataract Update

Sue had a final post-surgery visit at the end of 2022. She received a prescription for glasses and the stitch was removed from her right eye. A pair of new glasses are on the horizon for her. She picked them out back in September so she is happy to be ordering them now. Her cataracts are history now.

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