Cataract Service

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Cataract ServiceRoyal Hallamshire Hospital

Information for patientsOphthalmology (Cataracts)

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This booklet provides information about the day of your operation.

On the day of your operation please come to theDay Case Unit which is accessed from the entrance on B road at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital (see map opposite).

Your operation details:

Day: _________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________

Time: ________________________________________

Your Consultant's name*:

_____________________________________________

Your assessment nurse's name:

_____________________________________________

*Please note that it is possible you may not have the same surgeon named above; cancelling your surgery for this reason may lead to you being discharged back to the care of your GP.

Please see towards the back of this book for your post-operative check up date / time / location and any additional instructions.

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CLA

REM

ON

T PLAC

E

GLOSSOP ROAD

GLOSSOP ROAD

CLARKEHOUSE ROAD

A ROAD

B ROAD

C ROAD

BEEC

H H

ILL

ROA

D

Outpatients Building

Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Multi-Storey Car ParkDisabled Bays on entrance level onlyCharges apply

6

Bus stopDisabled parking

Pay & display parking

Drop-off zone

Bicycle parking

Hospital shuttle

bus

Cash machine

Day Case Centre

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What happens if I am ill before or on the day of my operation?

• If you have been ill or you think your health has changed since your pre-operative assessment or you are unsure if you should come in for your operation, please telephone us for advice.

• If you are ill and cannot come for your operation you must tell us as soon as possible as we may be able to offer your operation slot to another patient.

• If you have any soreness, swelling, signs of infection to either eye prior to or on day of surgery please contact the team for advice.

Please telephone 0114 226 7324 or 0114 305 2888 between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm.

After 5.00pm there is an answering service available should you wish to leave us a message.

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How do I prepare for my operation?

On the day of your operation you will have been asked to starve if you are having a general anaesthetic or sedation. If you are only having local anaesthetic, you can eat and drink as normal.

You can take your usual medication and inhalers unless your assessment nurse or surgeon has advised you not to.

If you are having a general anaesthetic for surgery, you should expect to undress for theatre; we advise that you bring a dressing gown and slippers. If you are having cataract surgery with local anaesthetic only, you do not need to undress for theatre. Your day case nurse will clarify this with you.

Please do not wear jewellery, make-up or nail varnish on your operation day.

For hygiene reasons we ask that you:

• Have a bath or a shower before you come.• Wear clean clothes that are preferably loose, cool

and comfortable.• Wear flat or low-heeled shoes.• Do not wear any contact lenses on the day of

surgery (you may wear lenses until the night before surgery).

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• Ensure that you have an unopened supply of any regular/usual drops.

• Arrange transport following your surgery and avoid using public transport.

• Keep a stock of clean cotton wool.• Ensure you have analgesia/pain killers at home to

use after your surgery.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

Yes:

• Please bring any inhalers, sprays or medicines that you are using or likely to need.

• Consider bringing something to occupy yourself with whilst you are waiting, for example a book or newspaper.

• Please bring hearing aids (which can be worn as normal until surgery).

• If you normally use an aid to help with your balance, please bring it with you.

Do not bring valuables into hospital as we cannot take responsibility for them.

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• If you have any specific toileting aids, please bring a supply with you.

• If you are diabetic or have any dietary requirements, please bring a suitable snack with you and your medication (including insulin).

How long will I be?• You can expect to be with us for most of the

morning or afternoon, depending on your position on the theatre list.

• The appointment time we give you is the time we need to admit you and not the time of your operation.

• It takes some time to prepare you prior to your operation. Please be prompt so we can start this process as soon as possible.

Can I drive on the day of my operation?

No, you must not drive on the day of surgery. Please arrange for someone to collect you or take a taxi home. Do not travel home by public transport after your surgery.

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What happens when I arrive?• If you arrive by car you may be dropped off on B

Road at the entrance to the Day Case Unit (you cannot park there).

• There is no reserved parking for you, but the multi-storey car park is close by.

• When you arrive, please report to the reception desk.

• Once you have checked in, take a seat until a member of the nursing team escorts you to the day case admission area.

• The nurse looking after you will plan your care for during and after your hospital treatment.

• If you have any special dietary needs please tell your nurse when you arrive.

You need to make your own transport arrangements. Please let us know if you have a medical or physical need. If this is the case an assessment will be taken to determine if you qualify for hospital transport.

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Can someone wait with me?• Your friend or relative will not normally be able to

accompany you into the treatment area. However, if you need them to assist in your care please tell the day case nurse when you arrive.

• Your friend or relative is welcome to wait in the reception area of the Day Case Unit. A variety of refreshment facilities are located in the main hospital building.

• If your friend or relative wants to leave the Day Case Unit, the staff will contact them when you are ready to go home. Please have a contact telephone number available.

What happens before I have my operation?• The nursing team will check your medical and

personal details.• The nurse looking after you will confirm that you

are happy that you understand your operation / treatment and wish to proceed.

• Whilst in the treatment area you will have a series of medications put onto your eye before your operation. These prepare the eye for surgery and enlarge the pupil.

• You may be asked to wait in our seating area until it is time for you to have your operation.

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• Your property will be stored in a locker whilst you are in theatre.

What happens when I go to the operating theatre?

• If you have difficulty walking, you may be taken there in a wheelchair.

• The theatre staff will help you climb a step onto the operating couch and make you comfortable.

• Your personal details will be checked again.• Further drops may be applied to the eye that is

being operated on and this will be explained to you before they are given.

• The anaesthetic team will then look after you to get you ready for the surgeon.

What happens during the operation?• The surgeon makes some tiny incisions to get into

the eye then removes the cataract and replaces it with a plastic lens implant.

• An eye shield is not normally required but if one is applied at the end of your surgery, please note it only needs to be worn at night for the first week.

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What happens after my operation?• You will be taken to a quiet area for

monitoring. You will rest here for a short time while you recover from the effects of any anaesthetic and then be assisted from the couch.

• The nursing staff will contact your friend or relative when you are ready to go home.

• Before you go home, the day case nurse will advise you on all aspects of your care, including eye drops and explain how to obtain medical and nursing help if you need it. The nurse will also confirm your follow up arrangements.

• If you wish to have a friend or relative present during the discharge process, please notify your nurse.

• When you have been given the required information and are happy you understand it, you will be free to leave.

• Drop off bays outside the Day Case entrance can be used for picking up.

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Is there anything I should look out for?

Immediately after your operation, you may feel some discomfort. This should be relieved by over the counter painkillers like paracetamol. If symptoms worsen or you are worried, please contact us.

After cataract surgery, vision should start to return within a few days. It usually takes 6 weeks for an eye to fully settle. For some patients, this can take longer particularly if you have pre-existing eye conditions.

You may contact us if you have any concerns following your operation.

How should I care for my eye at home?

Clean around your affected eye daily and more frequently if it is sticky:

1. Fill a cup with boiled water and allow it to cool.

2. Wash your hands.

3. Dip a cotton wool ball into this cooled boiled water and squeeze out the excess. Wipe the lids of your eye from the inner to outer corner.

4. Dispose of the used ball.

5. Repeat until clean using a fresh cotton wool ball for each wipe.

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Will I have any eye drops to use?• You will be discharged home with eye drops, eye

ointment or both.• You must use these as instructed.• If you are using eye drops for any other reason

you must discuss these with your surgeon or nurse.

• Do not stop using your usual eye drops unless a doctor specifically tells you to do so.

How long will I need to use the eye drops for?

• The day case nurse will explain how often and for how long you should use the drops.

• Start your drops on the same day as your operation.

• You should use them for the full period they are prescribed to ensure best effect.

• Should you need to use other drops at the same time of day, leave at least 5 minutes between drops to give them chance to absorb.

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How do I use my eye drops?

Wash and dry your hands then remove the cap from the container.

Pull down the lower eyelid until there is a small pocket between the lid and the eye.

Squeeze the upturned dropper bottle to release a drop into your eye.

Do not let the nozzle touch your eye.

• Release the lower lid and lightly close your eye for approximately 1 minute.

• Replace and tighten the cap immediately after use.

• Use a clean tissue to wipe away any excess liquid from your cheek.

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How should I store my drops?• Store drops upright, in a cool dark place, or in a

fridge if the label says so.• Respect the 'use by' instructions on the label.• Remember that the eye drops have been

prescribed for you only and you must not share them with others.

Some final important points• Do not rub your eye; this can make it more

irritated and affect your wound.• You can usually resume normal activities.

However, for the first few weeks, avoid activities that involve heavy lifting, jarring movements or a dusty / dirty environment.

• You can discuss this with your surgeon.• If you are given an eye shield please wear this

only at night for the first week.• Avoid wearing eye make up for 4 weeks after

your operation.• Bath/shower as normal but avoid soapy water

running into your eyes.• Avoid swimming for 4 weeks following your

operation.

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Changing your glasses after the operation

Cataract surgery does not remove the need for glasses for some or all tasks but your glasses prescription will change. We recommend that you arrange an appointment with your optician 6 weeks after your surgery.

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Additional information / instructions:

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Post-operative check-up:

Your post-operative appointment is:

Day: .........................................................................

Date: ........................................................................

Time: ........................................................................

Location: ..................................................................

Please note: It is important that you come back to the eye clinic after your operation for your post-operative check-up. If for any reason you can not attend as planned, please telephone:

0114 226 7324 or 0114 305 2888

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Who should I contact if I think there is a problem?

If you need advice, or you think you are experiencing a problem after your surgery, please phone for advice:

Cataract Nursing Team - Northern General Eye Centre (NGEC)

• 0114 226 7269Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm

Emergency Eye Department - Royal Hallamshire Hospital: (Only if NGEC team is not available)

• 0114 271 2726

Please note: If you are asked to attend the Emergency Eye Clinic at the Hallamshire Hospital, you will need to make your own transport arrangements.

Out of hours emergencies only - Royal Hallamshire Hospital:

• 0114 271 2504After 5.00pm, weekends and bank holidays

PD10351-PIL4441 v1 Issue Date: November 2019. Review Date: November 2022

Where can I find further information?

We hope that the information in this booklet is sufficient to help you prepare for your operation. However, if you would like more information please do ask us.

Cataract video

If you are having cataract surgery, you may find it useful to watch our video about preparing for your operation. To do this, scan the QR code below with your mobile phone to launch the video. If you don't have a QR code reader on your phone, you can download one from Google Play or the App Store.

Alternatively you can watch the video on our website.

• http://video.sth.nhs.uk/

Just type in cataract in the search box or go to the Ophthalmology section

Preparing for your cataract operation

Alternative formats can be available on request.Please email: [email protected]© Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2019Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the “Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005” SI 2005 No.1515. Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. Email [email protected]

http://www.aps-data.co.uk/nhs/sth/w?v=11038



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