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Once you and your eye doctor have decided to move ahead with cataract surgery, you will have a pre-op appointment to discuss the following:

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Your medical history, current medications, and any pre-existing conditions

Be prepared to talk about these in as much detail as possible. Although cataract surgery is usually a quick and a standard procedure, it’s important to get all the details up front to help eliminate any potential risk later.

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The cataract surgery procedure

In preparation for cataract surgery, your doctor will walk you through the procedure and what your options are. Depending on certain factors, either manual surgery performed by your doctor or laser-assisted cataract surgery may be best for you. You’ll also receive guidance on follow-up care, so be sure to come with any questions you may have.

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Which IOL lens is best for you

You have a variety of options when it comes to improving your vision through surgery. Before cataract surgery, you and your doctor will talk about your lifestyle, your goals, and what’s most important to you when it comes to your vision. Then, together you’ll decide which lens is best for you. To help get you started, take a look at your options here

Questions about your surgery

As you prepare for your cataract surgery pre-op assessment, below are some questions you may want to jot down or print out to take with you:

  • Will I be getting manual or laser surgery?
  • What are the benefits of laser cataract surgery?
  • What is the process like?
  • How long will the cataract procedure take?
  • What are the risks of cataract surgery?
  • Will I need to take any new medications after my surgery?
  • How long will I need to take off from work?
  • Can I drive after cataract surgery?
  • Can I go out in the sun?
  • How long after surgery will it take for my vision to be better?
  • What are things I cannot do?
  • What should I do to ensure a smooth recovery?
  • What are the different types of IOLs?
  • Which one is best for me?
    • To help make sure you get the best IOL for you, be sure to tell your doctor about activities and hobbies that matter to you, such as reading, low-light activities, and close-up or detailed activities such as knitting or model-building. You should also let your doctor know if you are working or using computers, and what your preferred reading medium is.

To learn how the surgical procedure works, click here.