All you need to know for your first visit to SpaMedica
Your pre-operative assessment is the first appointment you’ll attend at SpaMedica. We’ll carry out some non-invasive eye tests and a thorough eye check to confirm that cataract surgery is the right treatment for you. You should expect your appointment to last for about 2 hours, which includes 40 minutes to allow your pupils to dilate – see below for more information.
Dilating the eyes causes blurred vision and sensitivity to light, meaning that you won’t be able to drive to or from your appointment, so it’s important to arrange a lift with someone you know. If you’re struggling to find anyone who’s available to take you, SpaMedica provides free transport for patients who need it – if you’re struggling to find transport, please speak to a member of our transport team.
Legal eyesight standards for driving means you must be able to read a car registration plate at a distance of 20 meters. It is crucial to remember that all patients should not drive until they meet this legal driving standard, whether it is before, during or after cataract surgery.
Before surgery, if your cataract is affecting your ability to see clearly, especially in bright light, at night, or when reading road signs, you may no longer meet this standard and should stop driving. Your optometrist or eye specialist can advise whether it is still safe for you to drive before your operation.
After surgery, your vision may change and you may need new glasses before it is safe to drive again.
If you have a cough, it’s important to inform your surgeon before cataract surgery. Surgery can usually proceed if your cough is manageable, but the staff need to know if you need to cough so the procedure can be paused safely. If your cough is severe or uncontrollable, your GP may be able to help. If you have a cold or are feeling unwell, surgery should be postponed, and your appointment can be rescheduled at a convenient time.
If you have high blood pressure, you can usually still have cataract surgery. Blood pressure may temporarily rise due to anxiety during appointments, known as White Coat Syndrome, but as long as it’s not dangerously high, surgery can generally proceed safely. Your surgical team will monitor your blood pressure and take any necessary precautions to ensure a safe procedure.
It is important that you inform us if you are taking antibiotics prior to your cataract surgery. In some cases, long-term antibiotics will not stop you from having cataract surgery. However, if you have an active infection, your surgery should be rebooked until resolved.
If you have diabetes, you can usually have cataract surgery, but extra care is needed. Your optometrist will assess how well-controlled your diabetes is and check for any eye damage, such as diabetic retinopathy, which may need treatment before surgery. Blood sugar levels will be monitored leading up to the procedure, and surgery may be delayed if glucose levels are too high. People with diabetes are slightly more at risk of complications, as inflammation can linger a little longer in diabetic patients. There is a greater risk of developing macula oedema post operatively, which may required a longer course of tailored medication in the form of eye drops, for weeks or sometimes months. With careful planning and monitoring, cataract surgery is safe and effective for most diabetic patients.
After your eye appointments, your pupils are dilated to allow the surgeon or optometrist to examine your eyes. Dilation can cause blurred vision and light sensitivity, so you should not drive for about six hours afterward. It’s important to arrange a lift or alternative transport. SpaMedica provides free transport for patients who need it – if you’re struggling to find transport, please speak to a member of our transport team.
Cataract surgery requires you to lie flat on your back for the duration of the procedure, usually around 15 minutes. If you are unable to lie flat comfortably due to a bad back, the surgery may not be possible. Your surgical team can perform a bed test during your pre-operative assessment to check whether you can tolerate the position. If lying flat is too painful, you may be referred back to your optician to discuss alternative options.
If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, you can still have cataract surgery. Your surgical team will take your device into account and ensure the procedure is carried out safely.
For your pre-op assessment appointment – soft contact lenses should be removed from both eyes at least 48 hours before your appointment and hard lenses should not be worn for two weeks before your appointment.
For surgery/treatment day and if you have a post-operative appointment – both soft and hard contact lenses should be removed at least 24 hours before your appointment.
If you take blood-thinning medication, let the pre-assessment team know and continue your usual medication until advised otherwise. Before your surgery, your anti-coagulation clinic will need to provide a recent INR result, ideally within a week of your operation. If your INR is out of the safe range, contact your cataract team so the surgeon can decide whether to proceed or reschedule your surgery.
Please feel free to ask the nurse and/or optometrist at your pre-operative appointment any questions you have about your surgery.
• Your health questionnaire form (which will be sent to you with your initial appointment letter) • Your current glasses (if you wear them) • A list of your current medications • The contact number of the relative/friend who will be picking you up (if they’re not waiting in our reception area for you) • If you’re taking warfarin (blood-thinning medication), you’ll need to bring your INR record book (yellow book) with you. • If you have glaucoma, please bring your consultant details with you, plus your eye drops, and any recent clinic letters from your last glaucoma appointment, if you have them.
Soft contact lenses should be removed from both eyes at least 48 hours before your appointment and hard lenses should not be worn for two weeks before your appointment.
We hope this tells you everything you need to know about your pre-operative assessment, so you know exactly what to expect on the day.
Would you like a chaperone? It’s your choice. This can be a family member, friend or a trained member of staff. Please let us know upon arrival if you would like someone to accompany you for examination or consultation.
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