You’re going to have a whole bunch of questions for your cataract surgeon. These will range from the obvious, like “Is it going to hurt”, to some that you’ve probably not yet considered.
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed (and successful) operations in the world, with millions being done each year in the US alone. But, let’s be honest, while that’s reassuring, it’s a once (or maximum twice) in a lifetime procedure for you. So, naturally, there’s going to be some anxiety going on…
One of the best ways to reduce this is to address your concerns prior to the operation and to be well-informed.
Forewarned is Forearmed: Preparing Questions for your Cataract Surgery Consultation
One thing that most of us have in common when going for any medical consultation is coming out and then realizing that you forgot to ask something important. To avoid this, we highly suggest that you think about your questions beforehand and, crucially, write them down or make a note on your cellphone.
The following list certainly isn’t definitive—you may well have many more queries. No surgeon will ever have an issue with addressing your concerns and putting your mind at rest. No question is a silly one—it’s simply something that you don’t know the answer to. So, be sure that you’re clear on everything you need to know before you leave the office.
- How long will the operation take? In general, and including the initial prep, the actual procedure doesn’t take much more than 30 minutes.
- Will you do both cataracts at the same time (if you have them in both eyes): Currently, this isn’t the norm, but there are more and more instances of bilateral cataract surgery being performed.
- What do I need to do before the operation? This could include reducing or ceasing some regular medication, whether you should eat beforehand, the need to have someone to drive you home and more.
- What type of anesthetic will I have? Most likely it will be a local (so you’ll stay awake). But this might be with the help of light sedation if you’re extremely anxious, or even a general anesthetic (when you go to sleep) in rare cases.
- What type of lens will you use? This is vital, because there are many different types. Known as an IOL (intraocular lens), this will determine what type—if any—eyeglasses you will need after your eye is fully healed.
- How much will the operation cost? Another crucial question, because Medicare and most insurance policies only cover traditional procedures with a monofocal IOL. If you want a more advanced lens and the associated operation, then you’ll have to fund the difference.
- How long will my eye take to heal? You should be clear about the post-operative process and how long you’ll need to rest and recuperate.
- When and how many follow-up appointments will I need? This can range from a couple through to multiple. It all depends on the type of lens you have fitted, any other eye or health conditions you might have, and any post-op complications (which are rare).
- What are the risks: Many people don’t want to know this, but we can’t stress enough that you need to know this—just in case. Knowing what to be aware of in the unlikely event of a problem will mean you’ll know what’s normal and what isn’t—plus, you’ll know when to seek assistance if needed.
- Will I need eyeglasses afterward? This will be dependent on the type of IOL you have fitted.
You may also want to ask the surgeon about their expertise, how many cataract operations they perform each year, and if they have experience with any co-existing eye or health conditions you might have.
Understanding what the operation will entail is an important part of your eye surgery preparation. But even before that, you may want to research your options for a potential surgeon. This is especially relevant if you’re keen to have a premium lens fitted and/or you have certain medical conditions.
We’ve put together the most comprehensive online service to help you do this. Visit https://www.bestcataractsurgeonreviews.com/near-me for easy access to surgeons across the USA, plus links to real-time patient reviews all in one place.
