Stop Wearing Contact Lenses: Contact lenses temporarily alter the natural shape of your cornea. To ensure our pre-operative measurements and laser systems are perfectly accurate, you must stop wearing soft contacts for at least 3 to 7 days (and hard/RGP lenses for several weeks) prior to your final measurements and surgery. Our team will give you an exact timeline.
Arrange Transportation: Because you will be given a mild sedative to help you relax, you cannot drive yourself home. You must arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from the San Diego surgery center. The entire surgical appointment generally lasts two to three hours.
Plan Your Time Off: Most patients take one to two days off from work to comfortably recover and attend their crucial 1-day follow-up appointment.
Medication Clearance: Inform our team of all medications and supplements you take. You may be asked to temporarily pause certain blood thinners or prostate medications.
What you consume the night before your procedure directly impacts the safety of your anesthesia.
When to stop drinking alcohol before cataract surgery: You must strictly refrain from consuming any alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours prior to your procedure. Alcohol thins the blood and can negatively interact with the intravenous (IV) sedatives used to keep you comfortable during surgery.
The 8-Hour Fast: You must not eat or drink anything for a minimum of 8 hours before your scheduled arrival time. This includes all food, water, gum, mints, and morning coffee. Having an empty stomach is a mandatory safety protocol for any procedure involving sedation.
What to Wear: Dress comfortably. Wear loose-fitting, clean clothes (like a button-down shirt or a zip-up sweater) that do not need to be pulled tightly over your head.
Hygiene: Please shower and wash your hair the night before or the morning of your surgery, as you will need to keep your eyes dry for a few days post-op.
No Cosmetics: Do not wear any makeup, mascara, eyeliner, face creams, lotions, perfume, or cologne on the day of surgery. The eye area must be completely sterile.
Leave Valuables at Home: Please leave all jewelry, watches, and valuables at home.
After meeting with Dr. Sandy T. Feldman, you will know whether you're a good candidate for vision restoration surgery and which IOL option is best you. You'll be given detailed pre-operative instructions and a treatment plan tailored for your individual needs.
To help ensure that your cataract surgery is as relaxed and safe as possible:
Dr. Feldman and her team of caring professionals will be with you every step of the way throughout your vision rejuvenation procedure and will take as much time as necessary to answer all your questions and listen to your concerns. Please call or email us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Click here to read what to expect on the day of your surgery.
Q1: Can I drink coffee before cataract surgery? Ans: No. Because you must follow a strict 8-hour fast prior to your arrival, you cannot have your morning coffee, tea, or water.
Q2: Can I take my normal morning medications (like Tylenol or blood pressure pills)? Ans: During your pre-operative consultation, our medical team will give you a specific list of which daily medications you should take (with a tiny sip of water) and which ones you should skip on the morning of surgery.
Q3: How do I relax before the procedure? Ans: It is normal to feel nervous! Rest assured that cataract removal is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgeries in the world. Once you arrive, our anesthesiologist will administer a mild, calming sedative to ensure you are completely relaxed and pain-free before we begin.
