14 Mar How to Prepare for Your Eye Surgery
There is only one requirement I have before your retinal eye surgery, “Do NOT eat before Surgery!”
Eating anything after midnight the night before surgery is certain to cancel your surgery. By the way, the following rules apply to my personal patients who are having surgery at INOVA Woodburn Surgical center. These guidelines may be similar to your own doctor’s, in your own state/country and your hospital, but you should contact your own doctor if you have any questions.
By the way, while I am A boss, I am not THE boss of the operating room. There is usually an anesthesiologist who heads every operating room. They are responsible to make sure patients are medically sound, and to their own specifications, to undergo the rigors of anesthesia and, therefore, surgery. Not me.
Don’t Eat Anything the Night Before Surgery
“NPO after midnight” means nothing to eat after 12 AM the night before surgery.
This rule really means, nothing to eat 8 hours prior to surgery. This rule ensures an empty stomach for surgery. This is for your safety and health. Although unlikely, it is possible you could regurgitate and then aspirate something into your lungs.
While clear fluids such as water, coffee or tea are usually okay, coffee with cream is NOT acceptable. The cream curdles in your stomach…and takes much longer to leave your stomach than clear liquids.
Be prepared, don’t eat.
Aspirin and Blood Thinners
I personally do not want you to stop any of your medicines that are used to “thin” your blood. You are on these medications to prevent stroke, heart attack or preserve circulation. Quite frankly, I’d rather keep you alive and well at the remote risk of jeopardizing your vision.
Our equipment makes retinal surgery unique in that we operate in a “closed” system. I have complete control over the pressure inside your eye at all times. Bleeding can NOT get out of hand. This is NOT true of other eye surgeries and explains why many other eye surgeons do request you stopping blood thinners in anticipation of eye surgery.
Aspirin “thins” blood by effecting the platelets in your blood. The effects of aspirin last a good two weeks after stopping the oral blood thinner. Many times, retinal surgery is performed soon after the initial exam.
My colleagues who perform cataract surgery often insist on no aspirin.
No Drops Before Eye Surgery
Many cataract surgeons prescribe antibiotic drops to use prior to eye surgery. Most retinal surgeons do not. Again, the chance of infection inside the eye is greater with cataract surgery than with most retinal surgery…again, due to the ‘positive” intraocular pressure during the operation.
Take Your Medications
At my surgical center, we encourage you to take your oral medications with sips of water. If you have diabetes, ask your diabetic doctor about specific instructions regarding your medicines.
What Does this Mean?
Where I work, these guidelines ensure that each and every patient be treated as if undergoing general anesthesia. Though most of our procedures are indeed performed under sedation, you will be scrutinized as if general anesthesia is going to be performed.
Randy
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, Retina Specialist
Fairfax, Virginia
Elena
Posted at 12:50h, 14 MarchThat’s fantastic, Dr. Wong, as always.
I’m gearing for my (hopefully) last operation to remove the silicone oil from my left eye.
Please cross fingers for me!
I like the new look of the site but I can’t find all the past information as easily any longer!
Thanks!
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Posted at 21:10h, 23 MarchElena,
I like the new look. I have to work on adding archives or something. Hang in there!
Randy
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, Retina Specialist
Fairfax, Virginia
http://www.TotalRetina.com
https://retinaeyedoctor.com/march2023
Josh
Posted at 13:29h, 14 MarchSo to be devil’s advocate, what about being diabetic and fasting before. If you can only have clear liquids, does glucose tubs count? I would think the risk of low blood sugar would be a problem while being under and you would need to keep tabs on that during the procedure.
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Posted at 07:21h, 24 MarchJosh,
Spot on (as usual). I left that unclear. Each doc advises her own patient differently. With insulin dependent patients, usually insulin is not taken and may be given at the time of surgery. Often, the PCP or endocrinologist will also suggest a lesser dose.
You don’t miss a thing!
Randy
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, Retina Specialist
Fairfax, Virginia
http://www.TotalRetina.com
http://www.RetinaEyeDoctor.com
Sam
Posted at 20:27h, 14 MarchThanks for the information .
I always love reading your articles on eye disease.
I have floaters in my eyes – big ones and am waiting for cataract surgery before I get my floaters out by vitreomy.
sam
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Posted at 07:26h, 24 MarchDear Sam,
Best of luck to you. Maybe some things will change after cataract surgery. It is possible the floaters change position as the implant will take up less room than your original cataract.
Randy
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Ophthalmologist, Retina Specialist
Fairfax, Virginia
http://www.TotalRetina.com
http://www.RetinaEyeDoctor.com
Martin
Posted at 14:32h, 06 AprilDoes laser treatment count as an eye surgery?
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Posted at 21:27h, 08 AprilMartin,
Yes, but not for this article.
r