Day of Surgery

1. After arrival you will be met by a trained sister who will take a short medical history. Drops will then be instilled into the eye to dilate the pupil prior to surgery.
2. You will be seen by the Anaesthetist who will assess you prior to giving you your painless anaesthetic block. This block will be administered in an anaesthetic room in the operating theatre suite.
3. Following the anaesthetic you will be transported on a trolley into the operating theatre. The skin around the eye will be cleaned and sterile drapes will be placed over your head and body. You will be aware of voices during the procedure but for the most part you will be drowsy. Oxygen will be piped under the drapes covering your face and a small monitor placed on your index finger will record the degree of oxygen saturation in your blood at all times. It is important that you remain as still as possible during the operation but if anything concerns you please tell Dr Delaney who will stop the operation and make you as comfortable as possible.
4. There is minimal discomfort throughout the procedure and afterwards.

5. Following surgery you will be taken to the recovery area, awake and alert, with the eye covered.
6. In the recovery area observations will be taken by the Sister and you may be given a Diamox tablet to minimise the pressure in the eye which sometimes can rise and cause discomfort following surgery. You will then be given something to eat and drink while your observations are continued.
7. Should you experience discomfort following the surgery you may take Panadol®, Panadiene®, Panamax® or Digesic®, but Aspirin® should be avoided.
8. When you have recovered (usually an hour or so after entering the recovery area) you will be allowed to go home. You will be given an appointment to see Dr Delaney the following day. You will also be given a printed list of instructions which cover the early post-operative period.
9. It is essential to have someone escort you home after the operation. If you live alone arrange company for the night of surgery. The whole procedure from arrival to departure will take approximately 3 to 4 hours.

All Dr Delaney's cataract surgery is performed at St Vincents.