Why do I need a physical before cataract surgery?
Asked by: Jordyn Lindgren DVM | Last update: December 26, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (25 votes)
What kind of physical is required before cataract surgery?
For many, preoperative tests are not necessary and add costs because eye surgeries are not lengthy and don't pose serious risks. An electrocardiogram should be ordered if patients have heart disease. A blood glucose test should be ordered if patients have diabetes.
What is the physical exam for cataracts?
Diagnosis of Cataract
Diagnosis is best made with the pupil dilated. Well-developed cataracts appear as gray, white, or yellow-brown opacities in the lens. Examination of the red reflex through the dilated pupil with the ophthalmoscope held about 30 cm away usually discloses subtle opacities.
What tests are necessary before cataract surgery?
- A test for your existing glasses.
- An ocular examination.
- Biometry Tests.
- Corneal Topography.
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
- Blood Pressure.
- Blood sugar measurements.
- Takeaway.
Is an EKG necessary before cataract surgery?
Preoperative laboratory testing is not indicated before cataract surgery. Routine urinalysis is not needed before surgery. Routine electrocardiograms are indicated preoperatively in selected patients only. Routine coagulation studies are not necessary before surgery.
5 TIPS BEFORE CATARACT SURGERY: How to prepare for cataract surgery
What is a pre-assessment for cataract surgery?
Before the operation
During the assessment different measurements will be taken of your eyes and your eyesight. The assessment is an opportunity to discuss anything to do with your operation, including: your lens preference, such as near sight or long sight. the risks and benefits of surgery.
Why do they check your heart before surgery?
Surgery is a major undertaking, especially if anesthesia is used during the procedure. The results of cardiac testing can affect the choice of anesthesia and help doctors plan for surgery and make better postoperative recommendations. Cardiac events are a common cause of complications during surgery.
How much bed rest is required after cataract surgery?
How long is bed rest after cataract surgery? You won't need bed rest following surgery. However, we do advise taking it easy for the first three weeks after your procedure.
What is the biggest complaint after cataract surgery?
1. Mild discomfort and itching after cataract surgery. Mild discomfort and itching are among the most common and immediately noticeable problems after cataract surgery, because it is natural for the eye to feel slightly irritated while it heals.
What is routine preoperative medical testing for cataract surgery?
Examples of preoperative medical testing included electrocardiography, complete blood counts, and various serum measurements. Selective preoperative medical testing was limited to health status questionnaires.
Do you have 20/20 vision after cataract surgery?
Surgery for my cataract: is 20/20 vision possible afterward? In a word, yes— it is possible (and common) to achieve 20/20 vision after cataract surgery. However, exactly how good your eyesight is at all distances (near, mid, and far) will depend on many factors.
What is the drug of choice for cataracts?
The most commonly used ophthalmic steroid is prednisolone acetate 1%. Dexamethasone 0.1% ophthalmic solution sometimes is used as a generic alternative.
How bad do cataracts have to be to qualify for surgery?
Insurance companies have criteria that determine when an ophthalmologist can remove a cataract. While the main criteria is best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse, other parameters such as debilitating glare or double vision can allow for a cataract to be removed in special circumstances.
Why do I need a medical clearance for cataract surgery?
Routine preoperative clearance for cataract surgery is not always necessary. Serious or borderline health issues may require a patient to have testing prior to surgery to ensure IV sedation is safe and rule out the likelihood of complications.
How do they prep you for cataract surgery?
You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before cataract surgery. Your eye doctor also may advise you to stop taking any medicine that could increase your risk of bleeding during the procedure for a short time.
How sedated are you during cataract surgery?
During cataract surgery, patients are usually awake, eliminating the risks associated with general anesthesia. This conscious state enables effective communication between the patient and our doctors throughout the procedure. To ensure comfort, patients receive an oral medication before surgery to induce relaxation.
How long do you have to sleep upright after cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery should not affect how you sleep, aside from wearing the protective eye shield to avoid rubbing the eye. Rubbing your eye or even water splashing in your eye can aggravate the chances of infection. You may also want to avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye for the first 24 hours.
What is the most feared complication of cataract surgery?
Although the incidence of endophthalmitis is only 0.13%, this remains the most feared complication of cataract surgery with a potential devastating effect.
Why is my night vision worse after cataract surgery?
Cataract Surgery: A Solution with Considerations
Factors contributing to poor night vision may include the healing process, the type of IOL implanted, and other pre-existing eye conditions. Following the procedure, patients commonly report increased glare and sensitivity to light, impacting their vision at night.
Are you lying down or sitting up during cataract surgery?
Once the eye is numb, you will be taken into the operating room. The operation is carried out with you lying as flat as possible; we will make you as comfortable as we are able.
How long does cataract surgery take from start to finish?
Cataract surgery takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the severity of the condition. You should also plan to spend up to 30 minutes following the surgery to recover from the effects of the sedative.
What happens if you accidentally bend over after cataract surgery?
“High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”
Why do I need an EKG before cataract surgery?
Medical tests before eye surgery can include an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess the health of the heart and a complete blood count (CBC) to check the number of healthy red blood cells.
What do they test you before surgery?
Tests Before Surgery
Common tests that your surgeon may ask you to have if you have not had them recently are: Blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) and kidney, liver, and blood sugar tests. Chest x-ray to check your lungs. Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart.