Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is vital to good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. Only a doctor can definitively diagnose and treat glaucoma.
Prepare for the pre-op examination at home:
• Take out contact lenses at least 5 days before the exam in the case of soft lenses and 3 weeks before for rigid lenses.
• DO NOT eat anything (except plain water) prior to the examination.
• Bring with you to hospital any medicines which you are currently using.
Pre-op procedures at the hospital:
• Please be at the hospital as scheduled
• Arrange to have someone else drive you home or take a taxi after the examination.
• Examination process, which lasts about 2 hours, consists of:
– Refraction test.
– Intraocular pressure measurement.
– Pupil dilation with eye drops.
– Consulting with the doctor.
– A blood sample will be taken.
– Measuring current pressure, heart disease risks etc via internal and electrocardiogram test.
Preparation in the few days leading up to the surgery:
• Stop using anti-coagulants 3-5 days before the surgery (consult your doctor).
• Use anti-inflammatory eye drops (Nevanac) 3 days prior to the surgery.
• Use anti-biotic eye drops (Cravit) 1 day prior to the surgery.
• Space these 2 types of medicine at least 15 minutes apart.
• Have a bath and wash your hair 1 day before surgery.
The day of the surgery:
• Have breakfast and come to the hospital as scheduled.
• Do not wear facial make-up.
• Take all medications as usual.
Immediately after the surgery:
• Have someone else take you home after surgery.
• Keep the compress from the surgery until the following checkup; the nurse will give you a replacement.
• Wear sun glasses or other eye protection when going out.
• Wear an eye shield during bedtime to prevent accidental touching of the eye.
The post-operation examination:
• Return to the hospital for a checkup 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after the operation.
• Use medicines as directed.
• Space medicines at least 15 minutes apart.
• Take care of eye as instructed by doctor.
• Rest on the first day after surgery.
• Maintain eye hygiene, do not rub or squeeze eye.
• Do not allow water in your eye on first 2 weeks after surgery.
• Do not bend your head looking down for too long.
• Do not over exert or lift heavy weights.
• Wear an eye shield or tape your eyepatch as directed by ophthalmologist.
• Limitations to TV viewing, computer work (post-operative first week).
• Patient may go for take a walk and do light activities indoors.
• Take medications, instill eyedrops and undergo follow-up exam as prescribed.
• Eat regular meals but avoid foods causing cough, constipation, indigestion.
• Avoid allergic foods taken previously.
• Eat a healthy diet as per medical diseases ( diabetic retinopathy, renal failure…).
• It is a common symptom to feel a foreign body sensation, irritation, tearing…after surgery. These symptoms will gradually disappear after at least one week.
• Glasses (reading glasses) will be corrected after the stability of vision (1 month).
• If one of these symptoms occurs: operated eye redness, pain, vision gets worse, nausea, much coughing …please call your surgeon immediately or urgently go to hospital for check-up.