Pre-and-Post Operative Instructions

Pre-Operative Instructions
Post-Operative Instructions
Cleansing of the Eye
Protection of the Eye
How to Use Eye Medications

Eye Hygiene
Lodging
Transportation
Check In
Insurance

GENERAL PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

1. You will receive notification that your surgery and pre-operative physical have been scheduled. Please note that the time is approximate and may be moved to an earlier or later time that day and you will be notified about it the day before surgery.

2. On the day of your pre-operative physical, please bring with you a list of current medications and check-in at the registration desk in the lobby.

3. Do not use aspirin products or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for 10 days prior to surgery
unless approved by your physician. If you wish , you may use Tylenol or any non-aspirin type product.

4. The night before surgery, have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. In the morning, if you have medications to take, you may do so with a small sip of water. If you are a diabetic, please discuss with the physician what medication you should take before surgery. Please make arrangements for someone to be with you following surgery. You may only be released to a responsible adult.

5. If you have any questions or are uncomfortable about your surgery, please call prior to the surgery date.

GENERAL POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

For 12 hours following surgery do not operate an automobile or other machinery. You may wish to start eating lighter, with liquids and progressing to your regular diet as tolerated by your stomach.

Unless directed by your surgeon, do not remove your eye dressing and do not begin your eyedrops until after your first post-operative appointment.

You may take Tylenol or any other non-aspirin containing pain reliever as needed every 4 hours for pain. Continue your regular medications as directed by your physician including any eyedrops prescribed for the other eye.

Your first post-operative appointment will be the day following surgery. At this time, your dressing will be removed, and your eye will be examined. Your post-operative care schedule and medications will be reviewed.

Post-operative limitations

You may bathe or shower; protect the eye from soapy water by patching it securely.

Avoid sleeping on the side of your operated eye.

Do not bend at the waist to pick up objects on the floor. If you must, squat or bend at the
knees and use your hand to stabilize yourself. Do not lift anything over 15 lbs.

Post-operative eye care

Cleansing of the eye

Wash your hands before caring for the eye. If the lids are sticky or itchy in the morning, they may be gently cleaned with a cotton ball moistened with sterile water. Wipe from your nose toward you ear, in one direction only. Be careful not to rub or put pressure on the eye.

Protection of the eye

The operated eye should be protected at all times by either glasses (prescription or
sunglasses) or the metal shield. When the glasses are removed for showering or sleep, gently tape the metal shield over the eye. A soft eye patch may also be used under the shield if desired.

How to use eye medications

General Information

Directions for use of your drops or ointment are on the label of the bottle or tube. Record the name of your medication in case the medicine is lost or spilled. Refrigerate drops only when the label has instructions to do so.

You must use your medications as often as the doctor has instructed. Unless you have been told to awaken and use medication during the night, medications are intended to be used during waking hours. Plan a schedule and make every effort to use the medicine as close to the prescribed time as possible.

Carry your medicines with you when ever you are away from home and continue to use them as usual. Be sure to bring them to your doctor at each visit and ask for any change in instructions.

It is not unusual for eye medications to sting or burn slightly for a few minutes when they are first used. Eye ointments may cause vision to be temporarily blurred, and may cause prolonged burning.

Instructions for Eye drops:

1. Always wash your hands before putting drops in your eyes.

2. Shake the eye medication well if labeled to do so.

3. Carefully open the medication container. Be sure the tip of the dropper does not touch anything!! Place the cap on its side on a flat surface.

4. Tilt your head back, or if needed, lie down comfortably on your bed.

5. Place the ridge of the eyedrop bottle on the bridge of your nose with the dropper facing over the affected eye.

6. Look up. (If your eye is swollen, pull your lid down gently, forming a pocket between your eye and your lid.)

7. Squeeze bottle

8. Close your eye gently for 5 minutes.

9. Replace cap.

10. If you are using more than one medication, wait 5 minutes between each drop.

Instructions for Ointment:

1. Always wash your hands.

2. Remove the cap from the tube and place it on its side on a flat surface. Be sure the
applicator end of the tube does not touch anything. To ensure that the ointment going into the eye is sterile, you may want to squeeze a small amount of it onto a wet cotton ball. Discard the cotton ball.

3. Hold the ointment in one hand and with the fingers of the other hand, pull down the lower lid of the eye.

4. Hold the applicator end of the tube close to the eye, but not touching and squeeze the
ointment in a ribbon about 1/2" along the inside of the lower lid while you look up.

5. Carefully replace the cap on the tube.

Eye Hygiene

The following steps are recommended before using your eye drops or ointments:

1. Always wash your hands.

2. Wet a cotton ball with sterile water.

3. Close the operated eye.

4. Wipe the eye gently from the inner corner outward, being careful not to apply pressure.

Overnight Lodging

Thank you for selecting the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary as your hospital. We are concerned for the individual needs of all of our patients and we want to be sure that you are as comfortable as possible during your stay at the hospital.

Many patients have told us that they prefer to stay at or near the Infirmary the day before or the day after their surgery. Except in cases of medical need, however, most health insurers do not cover the cost of these stays. To allow our patients the option of an overnight stay at an affordable cost, the Infirmary has established a guest program, at the John Jeffries House.

We suggest that you and your physician discuss your preferred day of arrival and your
overnight arrangements as you are planning your treatment.

The John Jeffries House (617) 367-1866

To meet the needs of patients and their families, the Infirmary operates the John Jeffries
House, a comfortable and reasonably priced guest residence. Located just a short walk away from the Infirmary on historic Beacon Hill, The John Jeffries House is a newly renovated turn-of-the-century facility. Each of the 47 handsomely furnished one and two room apartments contains a full bath, telephone, color television, and kitchenette. On the ground floor, a gracious double parlor serves as a lounge for guests.

While The John Jeffries House does not have restaurant facilities, the guest house offers many other amenities including:

Maid service and valet services for your cleaning needs
Grocery delivery services from many fine neighborhood grocers
Parking in adjacent garage
Transportation to the Infirmary

The John Jeffries House does not provide medical or nursing care, therefore, guests must be able to meet their own care needs.

General Information

Transportation

Parking is available at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary or you can arrange to have a taxi deliver your to the front door.

It is not advisable to plan your transportation via MBTA.

You should be accompanied by another adult to assist you in returning home safely and to provide care at home.

Our Social Service Department is available to assist you in making supportive care
arrangements.

Check In

On the day of surgery you will go through a brief check-in before being prepared for surgery.

After surgery you will rest in the recovery room. When the nurses feel you are ready you may dress, receive discharge instructions and medicines, rejoin your companion and leave the hospital.

The entire process from check-in to check-out will take about 4-5 hours.

You can validate your parking ticket on the floor that you had your surgery.

Insurance Information

Many forms on health insurance require that you complete certain steps before you are
admitted to the hospital. It is extremely important that you understand these requirements so that you receive full financial coverage from your health insurance plan.

For example, your health insurance plan may require:

Prior approval from the insurance plan before your hospital admission.
A second opinion from another physician stating that your surgery is necessary.

There may be other pre-admission requirements to complete, depending on your health
insurance carrier. Please feel free to ask the Infirmary’s patient accounts representative for clarification on what your health insurance plan may or may not cover by calling our Patient Accounts Office at (617) 573-3073.