Know what happens, before it happens
Eye surgery is routine for us and a very big deal for you. This is everything we would tell you in the room, written down so you can read it again at home.
The surgeon you meet at your consultation is the one who operates and the one who sees you afterwards. Drag, scroll or use the arrow keys to browse the team. Read their profiles.
Before, during and after
- 01
Before your appointment
Bring your current glasses, a list of your medications, and your optometrist's referral if you have one.
- Allow two hours — drops take time to work
- Arrange a driver; you cannot drive after dilation
- Keep taking your usual medication unless told otherwise
- Bring sunglasses for the trip home
- 02
On the day of surgery
Day-stay surgery. Most people arrive, are treated, and are home again within about four hours.
- Nothing to eat for 6 hours if you are having sedation
- Wear comfortable clothes, no eye make-up
- A support person must collect you
- Expect to be in theatre for 20–40 minutes
- 03
The first week after
Vision is usually blurry at first and settles over days. Some grittiness is normal; pain is not.
- Use your drops exactly to the schedule you are given
- No swimming, gardening, or heavy lifting
- Sleep with the shield on for the first few nights
- Call us if vision worsens or the eye becomes painful
Signs that need a same-day answer
Do not wait for your next appointment. Ring us, day or night — if it is out of hours the line reaches the on-call surgeon.
- Vision that gets noticeably worse rather than better
- Increasing pain that drops do not settle
- A sudden shower of new floaters or flashing lights
- A curtain or shadow moving across your vision
Take it home and read it twice
Cataract surgery: what to expect
PDF · 6 pages
Using your post-operative drops
PDF · 2 pages
Driving and vision standards
PDF · 3 pages
Preparing for laser vision correction
PDF · 4 pages
Demo build — the guide files are not attached yet.