What can I do to make sure my cataract surgery is a success?

URIMAX/ FLOMAX

This medicine tamsulosin is used for an enlarged prostate which is a common condition in male patients causing difficulty in passing urine. It also affected the muscles of the iris of the eye and causes a complication called floppy iris syndrome during cataract surgery. It makes cataract surgery very difficult and increases the risk of complications. If your surgeon knows that you are taking this medicine she can take steps to deal with the problem. So please remember to inform your surgeon if you are taking this medicine or have taken it previously.

ECOSPRIN/ CLOPIDOGREL

These blood thinner medicines used for heart disease cause a tendency for increased bleeding.  We will advise you to stop them pre-operatively for 4-7 days. You can start using them again immediately after the operation.

DIABETES CONTROL

Uncontrolled diabetes causes inflammation in the eye and predisposes you to infection. So we insist that your diabetes is well controlled before the surgery. What you need to know is that you need to keep it under control three months after the operation, infect for life to keep your eyes healthy. So please get regular blood sugar tests in the postoperative period.

INFECTION CONTROL

We will give you antibiotic drops to help prevent infection. You also need to make sure that you keep the eye and the eyelids and your face clean and free of germs. So please follow instructions and start washing your face with soap and water when we tell you to do so. These days the surgery is done with a minimal cut in your eye, and there is no need to avoid washing your face. Infect if you do not wash your face it causes a buildup of germs.

REGULAR FOLLOW UPS

Please follow instructions and see us regularly as we advise in the post-operative period.  We need to check your eye pressure and assess the inflammation for about a month after the surgery. You should also continue your yearly checkups after the surgery. Even if cataract surgery is done, you can still develop other age-related diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma and regular checkups help keep your eyes healthy for life.