Intraocular Lens Placement

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Risks

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

Before You Go

• The Week Before Surgery:
• You'll probably need to stop taking aspirin and ibuprofen; the doctor will tell you when. If you're taking aspirin for your heart, don't stop without asking the doctor first. Also ask whether you can take any over-the-counter medicines.
• Your doctor will tell you whether you need to have blood drawn.
• Just Before Surgery:
• Your physician may suggest you take a sleeping pill the night before the operation.
• Just before surgery, you should not eat or drink anything (even water). Your doctor will tell you when to begin fasting.
• Be sure to wash your hair before leaving for the hospital. It will be several days before you can do it again. Use a style that keeps the hair away from your face.

When You Arrive

• Check with your doctor before taking insulin, diabetes pills, blood pressure medicine, heart pills, or any other medication on the day of surgery.
• Do not wear contact lenses to the hospital. You may wear glasses.

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• Blood Tests: You may need blood taken for tests. It can be drawn from a vein in your hand or from the bend in your elbow. Several samples may be needed.
• Chest X-ray: The doctor will check this picture of your lungs and heart to make sure you're ready for surgery.
• Heart Monitor: (Also called an electrocardiogram [e-LEK-tro-KAR-di-o-gram] or EKG). Typically, three to five sticky pads are placed on different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire that is hooked to a TV-type screen or to a small portable box (telemetry unit) that shows a tracing of each heartbeat.
• IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• Pulse Oximeter: With a little clip connected to your ear, finger, or toe, this machine measures the oxygen in your blood.
• Anesthesia: You'll need a pain-killer during the operation. For this type of surgery, the following options are available:
• General Anesthesia: This alternative puts you completely to sleep throughout the operation. The anesthetic is given either as a liquid in your IV or as a gas through a face mask or endotracheal (END-o-TRA-kee-ull) tube placed in your mouth and throat.
• Local Anesthesia: This is simply a pain-killing injection at the site of the operation. You'll remain awake, and may feel some painless pressure or pushing.

During Surgery:

• Medical personnel will tuck down your arm on the side of the operation to give the surgeon room to stand or sit close to your side. You may be given IV medicine to help you relax.
• A tube near your nose or mouth will provide extra oxygen if you need it during the operation. A large metal microscope over the affected eye will allow the doctor to examine it internally.
• You will feel pressure and pushing during surgery, but should feel no pain. If you feel any twinges of pain, tell the doctor. You'll be given additional pain-killing medicine.
• Try to lie very still during the operation. If you need to cough or move, tell the doctor. He'll interrupt the surgery until you're ready.

After Surgery:

After You Leave

• Wear both the eye patch and the shield for a full 24 hours after surgery. After the first 24 hours, you may remove both during the day. At night, tape the shield over your eye for at least the first 2 to 6 weeks. It will protect the eye from accidental blows while you sleep.
• During the first 24 hours, use cold compresses for pain and swelling. Soak a clean wash cloth in a bowl of ice water, wring it out, place it gently over your eye, and leave it there for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat this procedure as often as needed. When the compress becomes lukewarm, replace it with a fresh cold one.
• After the first 24 hours, use warm compresses. Soak a clean wash cloth in warm water, wring it out, place it gently over your eye, and keep it in place for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat as often as needed. The warmth will reduce swelling and promote faster healing.
• Sleep on your back for the first 48 hours after surgery. Lying on your side may cause that side of your face to swell, making the stitches in your eye overly tight. For the first 2 weeks after surgery, sleep with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows.
• If your eyes feel dry, itchy, or burning, wet them with artificial tears (unmedicated eye drops). When using eye drops or ointment, do not touch your eye with the tip of the bottle or tube. This could scratch your eye or cause an infection. Wash your hands with soap or water before putting the medicine in your eye.
• If bright light or sun bothers the eye, wear dark glasses
• To avoid raising the pressure inside the eyeball, do not do any of the following:
• • Lift anything heavy.
  • Bend over.
  • Exercise strenuously for the first 6 weeks; instead, walk for exercise.
  • Strain during bowel movements. To avoid constipation, eat foods high in fiber, such as high fiber cereals, beans, vegetables, and whole grain breads. Prune juice is a natural stool softener. You can also use an over-the-counter stool-softening product if your doctor approves.
• Do not drive your car or use power machines until your doctor gives you the OK.
• You'll need to wait 4 to 8 weeks for your final eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. Take extra care while your vision remains foggy. A family member may need to help you get around and perform your daily tasks.
• Whether you're fitted with eyeglasses or contacts, remember that your vision will not be the same as it was before the operation. Objects may look bigger at first, and you may have trouble gauging distances. Be careful when approaching something to avoid bumping into it. Walk downstairs with caution; you could misjudge the location of the steps and take a fall. If you're given eyeglasses, you'll find that your peripheral vision remains blurry, and that you need to turn towards an object to see it clearly.
• Always take your medicine exactly as directed. If it doesn't seem to help, let the doctor know, but keep taking it until told otherwise. If you've been prescribed antibiotics, be sure to use them up, even if you're feeling better. If a medicine makes you drowsy, avoid driving or using dangerous machinery.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You scratch or bump your eye.
• You feel a sudden, sharp pain in your eye that doesn't go away.
• You have itchy, swollen skin or a rash. These are signs of an allergy to your medicine.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You have sudden trouble breathing or develop chest pain. You could have a blood clot in your lung or an allergy to one of your medications.