Laser Eye Surgeries
- LASIK
- LASEK
- WAVEFRONT-Optimised LASIK
Other Refractive Surgeries
- Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
Cataract Surgery
- Cataract Extraction Overview
- Cataract Possible Complications
Keratoconus Treatment
- Corneal Cross Linking Keratoconus Treatment
Technology
- Technology at the Wellington Eye Clinic
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Treatments
Cataract Surgery Operation
In this section
- Cataract Extraction Overview
- Cataract Possible Complications
What happens before my operation?
You will be seen by your surgeon on the day of surgery again to go through any last questions you may have and to sign your consent form.
Once you have settled down in the ward, the nurses will start placing eyedrops in the eye to dilate the pupil and prepare your eye for surgery. These drops may sting your eye for a few seconds and is nothing to be worried about.
You will be one of a number of people on the theatre list so there may be a waiting period before you are brought to theatre.
What happens in theatre?
The nursing staff in theatre will help you from your trolley onto the operating table. You will be connected to a heart monitor and a blood pressure monitoring device. You will be aware of pressure on the upper arm when the unit takes your blood pressure. The anesthetist will place a small canula into your hand or arm to provide a line for medication if it is needed. Directly before the surgery starts, the area around the eye is cleaned with antiseptic solution. Medications used include some sedatives, eye pressure reducing medications and antibiotics. You are then draped in sterile linen that covers the whole body including the head and there is oxygen supplied under the drapes so that you will not feel short of breath at all. Once the operation begins, you will be aware of a bright light. You will not feel any pain but may feel very light pressure on occasion. The surgeon will be talking to you all the time and you can communicate any concerns freely during the procedure.
What happens after the operation is over?
You are taken back to the day care unit where you will be given something to eat and drink. The eye will have a shield over it to protect it and keep you from rubbing it accidentally. As soon as you have eaten and feel comfortable, you will ready to go home. If you chose general anaesthesia instead, then it will normally be around 2 to 3 hours before you are ready to go home. The nurses will ensure that you have fully recovered from the anaesthesia before discharging you from their care.
