A Clearer Future Is in Sight

What happens: full eye measurements and scans, a medical history review, a lens selection discussion, consent, and the opportunity to ask questions.

What to tell us: all current medications, especially blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel, aspirin); any allergies; diabetes or other systemic conditions; any previous eye surgery or trauma; if you feel anxious or claustrophobic.

What to bring: your appointment letter, an up-to-date list of all your medications, your current glasses, and a responsible adult to drive you home.

Morning of surgery: arrange transport as you cannot drive; use pre-op drops if prescribed; no eye makeup or face cream; eat and drink normally unless told otherwise; allow 2 to 3 hours in total.

1. Arrival and preparation: you are welcomed by the nursing team, your details are checked, and dilating drops are given if required.

2. The procedure: the area around the eye is cleaned and a sterile drape is placed. The procedure itself is usually quick and painless.

3. Recovery: you rest in the recovery area, where a nurse provides your post-operative drops and instructions.

4. Going home: your escort takes you home. You are given an emergency contact number and your follow-up details.

Time required: the surgery itself may take 15 to 30 minutes; please allow 2 to 3 hours for your whole visit. You must not drive yourself home.

Immediately after: rest, your eye may be padded or shielded, you will need an escort, and your vision will be blurred initially.

The golden rules: do not rub the eye; use drops exactly as instructed; wash your hands before using drops; wear the eye shield at night as instructed; attend all follow-up appointments.

Eye drop technique: wash your hands; tilt your head back and pull the lower lid down; look up and do not let the tip touch the eye; squeeze one drop into the pocket; close the eye gently for 60 seconds; press the inner corner for 60 seconds; wait 5 minutes between different drops.

First 24 hours: rest at home, vision will be blurry, mild grittiness is normal.

Days 2 to 7: vision starts to clear, continue drops, wear the shield at night.

Weeks 2 to 4: the eye feels more comfortable, finish the drop course as prescribed.

4 to 6 weeks: full recovery, visit your optician for a new glasses prescription if needed.

Restrictions: no swimming for 4 weeks, no hot tubs or saunas for 4 weeks, no eye makeup for 2 weeks, and no driving until your vision meets the legal standard and you feel safe.

Call 01732 756789 immediately if you have: sudden vision loss; severe, deep eye pain; a curtain, shadow or veil in your vision; new floaters, especially with flashes; increasing redness and discharge; or nausea with eye pain.

Contact us within 24 hours for: gradual redness that is not settling; vision that was improving but is now worsening; discharge from the eye; or concerns about your drops.

Normal and expected: mild grittiness in the first week, a watery eye, mild redness that is settling, and haloes with multifocal lenses, which settle over months.