North Bay Regional Health Centre Ophthalmology Clinic Patient Instruction Package for Cataracts Located at 50 College Drive 705-474-8600 extension 4880 Visit our website www.nbrhc.on.ca for a map and the hospital layout For any changes in your health or an illness call Dr Kesty/Bullen s office 705-472-4782. If you become ill or need to cancel on the day of your surgery, please call Ophthalmology Department at 705-474-8600 extension 4880. RHC2447 May 2015 rothwe Disponible en français Page 1 of 6
HOW TO PUT IN EYE DROPS Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after. Place the cap on a clean tissue. Do not touch the tip of the bottle with your hand, eye, eyelid or any other object. Drop the medication into the lower pocket, not on the eye. Wait 2 minutes between each eye drop. TWO DAYS BEFORE YOUR OPERATION On (date) Start the drops in your eye. Continue these drops until the day of your operation. One drop of Zymar and Voltaren at 8:00 am One drop of Zymar and Voltaren at 12:00 pm One drop of Zymar and Voltaren at 4:00 pm One drop of Zymar and Voltaren at bedtime Note: Purchase a role of 1 inch transpore tape at the drug store when you are picking up your bottles of eye drops. THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR OPERATION Nothing to eat after midnight. Drink only clear fluids up to 4 hours before the operation. (Water, apple juice, cranberry juice, black coffee or tea, ginger ale) RHC2447 May 2015 rothwe Disponible en français Page 2 of 6
THE MORNING OF YOUR OPERATION Put one drop of Zymar and Voltaren in your eye before leaving for hospital. the Take your usual medications except for any medications the doctor has told you to stop taking for this operation. Do not take your diabetic pills and/or insulin but bring them with you. Take a bath or shower and wash your hair. Do not wear any scented products. Do not wear any makeup. Wear a light weight shirt that opens up at the front and will also allow the nurse to take your blood pressure over your shirt. Bring a pair of sunglasses. Remove any jewellery from your left wrist. Bring your health card WHEN YOU AND YOUR ESCORT ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL Report to the Ophthalmology Clinic located on the 3rd floor with your escort/driver. The volunteer will escort you to the admission area where the nurse will prepare you for your operation. Your escort will be directed to the escort waiting area with your belongings. (coats, sweaters, glasses, purse, medications, etc). Your escort/driver MUST stay in the escort waiting area for about 1½ hours. RHC2447 May 2015 rothwe Disponible en français Page 3 of 6
AFTER THE OPERATION The nurse will tape the eye shield over your eye to protect it. Your escort will be brought into the recovery area. The nurse will review your discharge instructions, follow up appointment and when to start your eye drops. Your escort/driver will be responsible to assist you with leaving the clinic and driving you home. You are not allowed to drive for 48 hours. You MUST have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours if you have received sedation. KEEP YOUR EYE CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. Do not put tape on your eye to keep it closed. Do not put anything against the eye behind the eye shield. DO NOT RUB YOUR EYE or PRESS/PUSH ON YOUR EYE It is normal to have some discomfort in your eye or a slight headache. We suggest taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for the discomfort. For the first 24 hours you may experience blurred vision, gritty sensation, itchy or sticky eye, and difficulty with bright lights. Contact Dr Kesty/Bullen s office or go to the Emergency Department if you notice at any time: Increasing redness Eye pain not relieved with taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) Floaters or an increase in floaters Flashes of light A decrease in your vision or a change in your vision If you are told you need a pulmonary function test, make sure your test is booked 6 weeks after your cataract surgery to prevent damage to the eye. RHC2447 May 2015 rothwe Disponible en français Page 4 of 6
PUT THE EYE DROPS IN ACCORDING TO THE TIMES ON THE CHART DROPS DROP Start today 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ZYMAR 8:00AM ZYMAR 10:00AM ZYMAR 12:00PM PREDFORTE 12:00PM VOLTAREN 12:00PM ZYMAR 4:00PM PREDFORTE 4:00PM VOLTAREN 4:00PM ZYMAR 8:00PM ZYMAR 10:00PM FOR THE FIRST WEEK Do not rub, press, or push on your eye Tape the eye shield at bedtime and during naps with surgical tape. During the day you may wear eyeglasses or the shield to protect the eye. Close the eye and wear the shield when showering or washing your hair. Do not let the soap, shampoo or the spray of the water go in the eye. Do not wear any makeup. No gardening, dusty environments, hot tubs or swimming. Do not drive for 48 hours. Do not lift more than 10 lbs (4.5 kg). Bend at the knees and not at the waist. No strenuous activities such as vacuuming, snow blowing or cutting grass. No activities that risk getting hit or poked in the eye. RHC2447 May 2015 rothwe Disponible en français Page 5 of 6
FOR THE FOLLOWING 3 WEEKS Continue your eye drops according to the charts No gardening, dusty environments, no hot tubs or swimming. No activities that risk getting hit or poked in the eye until after week 4. Week 2 DROPS DROP 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Week 3 DROPS DROP 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Week 4 DROPS DROP 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 It takes 4 weeks for your eye to completely heal. Your eyesight should improve each day. This flyer contains general information which cannot be construed as specific advice to an individual patient. All statements in the flyer must be interpreted by your personal physician or therapist who has the knowledge of the stage and extent of your particular medical conditions. Any reference throughout the document on specific pharmaceutical products does not imply endorsement of any of these products. RHC2447 May 2015 rothwe Disponible en français Page 6 of 6