Preparing for Cataract Surgery: Questions for Patients and Caregivers

Preparing for cataract surgery

Questions for patients and caregivers

Use this guide to record your preparation and recovery support plan.

Before surgery

Check first: Follow the instructions from your surgical team. Confirm food, drink and medicine instructions before making any change.

• I completed the requested assessment and eye measurements.
• I shared my health conditions, allergies and complete medicine list, including eye drops.
• I confirmed what to do with each medicine and eye drop before surgery.
• I confirmed any food, drink, bathing or eye-cleaning instructions.
• I arranged transportation home and the support I may need during recovery.

My preparation plan

• Food and drink instructions
• Medicines and eye drops
• Eye cleaning and what to bring
• Transportation and support

Questions and recovery plan

My cataract surgery record

Use this page to ask what matters to you and record the instructions you receive.

Questions I may want to ask

• Which eye will be treated, and what lens and vision plan are recommended for me?
• What type of anaesthesia or sedation is planned, and how long should I expect to be at the clinic?
• What should I do with food, drinks, usual medicines and eye drops?
• What should I bring or wear on the day of surgery?
• How and when should I use eye drops or an eye shield after surgery?
• Which activities should I avoid, and when may I drive again?
• When is my follow-up, and whom should I contact with questions?
• Which symptoms mean I should contact the eye team urgently?

My recovery support

• Ride home
• Help at home
• Eye drops / shield
• Activity limits
• Follow-up
• Eye team contact

Get help now: After surgery, contact your eye doctor immediately if you lose vision; have severe, persistent pain despite medicine; develop marked eye redness; see flashes of light; or notice many new dark spots or moving squiggly lines.