Patient resources
Checklists and instructions to help you prepare for your visit and recover well after surgery. Download, print or read them here.
These are general instructions. Always follow the specific advice your surgeon gives you.
What to bring to your eye appointment
A short checklist to make your visit quick and complete.
Bring with you
- Your current glasses, contact lenses and lens case
- Old prescriptions, eye reports and discharge summaries
- A list of all medicines you take, including eye drops, blood thinners and diabetes medicines
- Your insurance or TPA card and a photo ID, if using insurance
- Sunglasses, as dilating drops can make you sensitive to light
Plan ahead
- Allow about an hour, longer if your pupils are dilated
- Bring someone to accompany you. Do not drive after dilating drops.
- If you wear contact lenses, ask us whether to stop wearing them before the visit
- Note down your symptoms and questions
- Tell us if you need wheelchair access or help reading forms
Before your cataract surgery
How to prepare in the days before your operation.
At your pre-surgery assessment
- We measure your eye to choose the right lens power
- Tell us about all your medicines, especially blood thinners and medicines for prostate problems, such as tamsulosin
- Tell us about diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or breathing problems and any allergies
- Do not stop any medicine unless your doctor tells you to
In the days before surgery
- Keep blood sugar and blood pressure well controlled
- Use any eye drops prescribed before surgery exactly as directed
- Arrange for an adult to bring you and take you home
- Report any cold, cough, fever or eye infection, as surgery may need to be rescheduled
On the day of surgery
- Wash your face and hair. Do not wear eye make-up, face cream or jewellery.
- Eat a light meal and take your usual medicines unless told otherwise
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing
- Bring your medicine list, reports, glasses and insurance documents
- Arrive at the time given to you
After your cataract surgery
How to look after your eye while it heals. Follow your surgeon’s own instructions if they differ.
The first week
- Keep the shield on until your check-up, then wear it at night for about a week
- Use your drops exactly as prescribed. Wash your hands first.
- Do not rub or press on your eye
- Keep water, soap and shampoo out of the eye. Clean around it gently with cooled boiled water and clean cotton.
- Avoid dust, smoke and eye make-up
- You can watch TV, read, use your phone and walk around
Weeks two to four
- Continue your drops until your doctor tells you to stop
- Avoid swimming until your doctor says the eye has healed
- Wear sunglasses outdoors if light feels harsh
- Ask your doctor before driving
- Avoid heavy lifting and bending low in the first days, unless your doctor says it is fine
Contact us the same day if you notice
- Pain that is getting worse
- Vision that is getting worse
- Increasing redness or swelling, or sticky discharge
- New flashes of light, a shower of floaters, or a shadow over your vision
My eye drop schedule
| Drop name | How often | Until |
|---|---|---|
Before your LASIK or laser vision correction
How to prepare for laser vision correction.
Contact lenses
- Stop wearing soft contact lenses for the period your doctor advises before your final measurements and surgery
- Rigid or toric lenses usually need to be stopped for longer
- Wear glasses during this time
Tell your doctor
- All medicines you take and any allergies
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy
- About dry eyes, eye infections, diabetes or autoimmune conditions
On the day
- Do not wear eye make-up, face cream, perfume or jewellery
- Eat a light meal
- Arrange for someone to take you home. You cannot drive on the day.
- Bring your glasses and sunglasses
After your LASIK or laser vision correction
How to care for your eyes in the days and weeks after treatment.
The first day
- Rest with your eyes closed for a few hours
- Wear the eye shields as instructed, especially while sleeping
- Some watering, grittiness and light sensitivity are normal
- Limit screen use on the first day
The following weeks
- Use your drops exactly as prescribed
- Do not rub your eyes
- Avoid swimming, hot tubs and eye make-up until your doctor says it is safe
- Wear sunglasses outdoors and avoid dusty places
- Avoid contact sports until cleared by your doctor
- Attend all follow-up visits, starting the next day
Contact us the same day if you notice
- Increasing pain
- Vision getting worse instead of better
- Increasing redness or discharge
My eye drop schedule
| Drop name | How often | Until |
|---|---|---|