Are you feeling anxious about undergoing cataract surgery? You may be fearful about the unknown, afraid of feeling pain, or worried that the procedure won’t go well.
Feeling nervous before a procedure is incredibly common. However, there are several things you can do to bring yourself peace of mind and ensure everything goes smoothly.
Keep reading to learn about the 7 best ways to prepare and reduce anxiety before cataract surgery!
Signs You Need Cataract Surgery
It may be time to have your cataracts removed if the following symptoms are affecting your day-to-day life:
- Cloudy or blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Halos and glare
- Trouble seeing at night
- Colors appearing faded
- Double vision in one eye
- Frequent prescription changes
- Needing brighter lighting for reading and other close-up activities
Tips to Prepare and Ease Your Anxiety Before Cataract Surgery
If you’re preparing for cataract surgery, it’s natural to feel some anxiety before the procedure. Here are some ways to feel more aware of what to expect before your cataract procedure at Evergreen Eye Center.
1. Have Someone Drive You Home
Because your vision will be unstable after cataract surgery, you’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure. You may also receive a sedative to calm any nerves.
You’ll need a friend or trusted family member to drive you home once you’re cleared by a member of our staff. Because of this, it’s best to make prior arrangements for a family member or friend to drive you home after your procedure.
2. Prepare a Few Meals Before Your Procedure
Consider cooking a few meals ahead of time that you can have prepared in your fridge or freezer. Although the recovery after cataract surgery is not long, you may not want to cook anything while your eyes are still sensitive for a few days.
Having these meals already put together and ready will make it easy to grab what you need without needing to worry about how you’ll eat or spend money on takeout. After a few days, your vision should stabilize, allowing you to cook for yourself again.
3. Talk to Your Cataract Surgeon
It’s natural to feel nervous about cataract surgery. If you’re worried about the procedure, what to expect, or have other concerns, the best thing you can do is talk to your cataract surgeon.
Letting your cataract surgeon know is in your best interests. After all, they have performed the procedure many times, meaning they know the ins and outs of cataract surgery.
Have a conversation with your cataract surgeon about any fears, concerns, and questions you may have regarding your upcoming procedure. Your surgeon will answer all your questions, address your concerns, and offer pre-operative education. Having the correct information at your fingertips may be all you need to calm those jittery nerves.
4. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Making sure you’re well rested is critical to having a successful procedure. Sleep plays a crucial role in your body’s healing process.
It allows a more robust immune defense against possible complications and infections. Getting a restful night’s sleep can also reduce anxiety and stress, ensuring you can approach having cataract surgery at Evergreen Eye Center with a calmer mindset.
If you’re nervous the night before, try drinking a glass of warm milk before bed to encourage relaxation and support quality sleep. Listening to a podcast or soft music can also help if you have trouble sleeping.
5. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Another way to reduce anxiety surrounding cataract surgery is by picking out what you’ll wear the night before your procedure. You want to wear loose, light clothes made from breathable material to ensure maximum comfort and prevent sweating.
A soft cotton button-down shirt can work well and will be easier to remove after cataract surgery. Similarly, choose comfortable, soft, loose pants such as lounge pants.
If it’s cold, zip-up cardigans or hoodies are perfect as they won’t disturb the eye shield placed after cataract surgery. For your shoes, consider well-fitting, non-lace-up flat shoes that you can easily slip on and off.
6. Get Your Prescription Eye Drops Filled in Advance
Your surgeon will ask you to begin using eye drops before and after having your cataracts removed. You’ll apply these drops a few days before and about 1 to 2 weeks after cataract surgery. The eye drops may include:
- Antibiotic eye drops to fight harmful bacteria
- Anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent inflammation that can cause complications like poor vision
Using eye drops as prescribed can ensure a smooth procedure and recovery. You can have the prescription for your eye drops filled in advance at your favorite pharmacy.
That way, you’ll shorten your to-do list post-procedure and ensure your medications are ready when you need them.
7. Choose the Right IOL
Before you can have cataract surgery to remove any cataracts, a vital component of the procedure involves choosing an intraocular lens (IOL) to replace your natural lens. After considering your visual needs, lifestyle goals, and other factors, you’ll select an IOL with your cataract surgeon.
Intraocular lenses come in many different types, each with pros and cons.
When choosing an IOL, you’ll want to think about your eyesight after cataract surgery.
Discuss this with your cataract surgeon before your procedure. IOLs offered at Evergreen Eye Center include:
Multifocal IOLs
A multifocal lens implant will let you enjoy clearer vision up close, far away, and intermediate distances. This option can significantly reduce or even eliminate your dependence on visual aids.
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens is the only IOL of its kind that offers personalized vision correction. After the IOL is implanted in your eye and you’ve recovered, you’ll receive light treatments to adjust the lens power of the Light Adjustable Lens using a Light Delivery Device (LDD) until you achieve your desired vision goals.
Many patients with the Light Adjustable Lens no longer need to depend on visual aids, significantly improving their quality of life.
Toric IOLs
If you’re a patient with astigmatism, you may want to consider a toric lens. Toric IOLs are the only IOLs that are specifically designed for patients with astigmatism. Most premium IOLs also come in toric models, making them well-suited for patients with astigmatism.
Why You Should Not Worry About Cataract Surgery
Not only is cataract surgery highly effective, painless, fast, and safe, but it is also worth it. Cataract surgery is the only way to treat cataracts and regain your ability to see clearly.
After cataract surgery, reading, using the computer, golfing, watching TV, driving, and living life will be much easier and better. You’ll no longer have to worry about glare, halos, and impaired vision. Instead, you’ll be able to see clearly, regaining your independence and ability to see everything around you.
Ensure a Brighter, Clearer Future with Cataract Surgery
Worrying and feeling nervous about what’s to come is normal when facing cataract surgery. The good news is that cataract surgery is highly effective and safe when performed by experienced, board-certified surgeons at Evergreen Eye Center.
Are cataracts making it hard to function in everyday life? Schedule your cataract consultation today at Evergreen Eye Center to find out if it’s time for cataract surgery.
