Cataract surgery is among the most commonly performed procedures in medicine and, for many patients, among the most life-changing. Still, it’s natural to feel nervous about the procedure. If you have a date on the calendar and want to know exactly what to expect from start to finish, here is a clear picture of what your cataract surgery day will actually look like at BVA Advanced Eye Care in Oklahoma City.
How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery
Your surgical team will give you specific pre-operative instructions during your consultation, and following them carefully is important. Most patients are asked to stop eating and drinking several hours before the procedure.
You’ll also receive guidance on which of your regular medications to take that morning and which to hold off on. Blood thinners, for example, may need to be paused in the days leading up to surgery; your eye doctor will confirm the details based on your individual health history.
You will need a friend or loved one to drive you to and from the procedure. Arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and avoid eye makeup.
Leave valuables at home and bring only what you need: your insurance card, a list of current medications, and any paperwork BVA’s team asked you to complete in advance.
What Happens When You Arrive at BVA Advanced Eye Care?
When you arrive, you’ll check in and get settled into the pre-operative area. From there, the team begins preparing your eye for surgery.
Numbing drops are administered in stages, which takes time. Expect to spend 30 to 45 minutes in pre-op before you’re taken back. Your eye doctor will go over what’s about to happen step by step, and may offer a mild sedative if you’re feeling anxious.
BVA Advanced Eye Care’s team is experienced in walking patients through each stage of prep, so if you have questions while you’re waiting, ask them. Most patients find that knowing what’s coming reduces anxiety considerably.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The procedure itself is shorter than most patients expect. Cataract surgery usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, though the full appointment, including prep and recovery, lasts about 1 to 2 hours.
Once your eye is fully numbed, your cataract surgeon will make a small incision. At BVA Advanced Eye Care, our team uses an advanced femtosecond laser to create these incisions with a level of precision that manual techniques can’t replicate. The laser also initiates fragmentation of the cloudy lens, making it easier to remove with less energy applied to the surrounding tissue.
After the lens is removed, your cataract surgeon will use the ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) system to take real-time measurements of how light focuses through your eye. The data guides your eye doctor in selecting the optimal lens power for your new IOL and in positioning it correctly, which is particularly valuable for patients who have had prior vision correction procedures such as LASIK or PRK. Once the IOL is in place, the incision is self-sealing and requires no stitches.
What Will You See or Feel During Surgery?
Patients are often surprised by how little they feel during cataract surgery. Local anesthetic numbs the eye completely, and most people report no pain, only mild pressure at times.
You may see shifting colors, a bright light overhead, or a blur of movement, but nothing will appear sharp or defined. You won’t be able to see the instruments. The most important thing asked of you during this time is simply to stay still and breathe normally. The surgical team will talk to you throughout the procedure to ensure you’re completely comfortable.
What Can You Expect Right After Cataract Surgery?
Once the procedure is complete, you’ll be moved to a recovery area where you’ll rest for 20 to 30 minutes while the team monitors you. Vision at this stage varies from person to person.
Some patients notice improvement almost immediately; others find that things look blurry, hazy, or washed out for a few hours. Light sensitivity is common. None of this is cause for concern; your eye has just gone through a precise surgical procedure and needs time to settle.
Before you’re discharged, a member of the care team will review your post-operative instructions, confirm your follow-up appointment, and make sure your driver is ready. You will leave with a protective eye shield and a prescription for eye drops.
What Should You Do for the Rest of the Day?
Rest is the most useful thing you can do on surgery day. Keep the eye shield on as directed, avoid rubbing or touching your eye, and start your prescribed drops on the schedule your cataract surgeon has outlined.
Most patients find listening to podcasts, music, or audiobooks as a great way to pass the time, but reading, screens at close range, and any strenuous activity should be avoided. Do not drive, do not swim, and avoid bending at the waist or lifting anything heavy.
Your eye doctor will provide specific guidelines for returning to normal activities at your follow-up appointments.
What Symptoms Should You Watch For After Surgery?
Some discomfort, mild itching, and light sensitivity are normal in the hours following surgery. Vision may fluctuate for a few days before stabilizing, and you might notice halos or glare around lights, especially at night.
Contact BVA Advanced Eye Care promptly if you experience significant pain that doesn’t improve, a sudden decrease in vision, worsening redness, or unexpected flashes of light and floaters. These symptoms are uncommon, but they warrant a call rather than a wait-and-see approach.
Ready to take the next step toward clearer vision? Schedule an appointment at BVA Advanced Eye Care in Oklahoma City, OK, today.